Peasant leader assassinated, another wounded in Davao Oriental, Philippines

Account of Incident: 

Ludenio Monson and his colleague in the peasant organization NIGKUMB, Angelito Artiza, wrapped up their busy day in the afternoon of April 29, 2009 by going to a grocery in the poblacion (town proper) of Boston, Davao Orienal.

They had spent the day coordinating with other farmers for the May 1 demonstration.   NIGKUMB sends a delegation in solidarity with workers on Labor Day.

At about 4:30 in the afternoon, Ludenio and Angelito finished their business and headed home to Caatijan aboard a motorcycle they borrowed from a friend. Ludenio, who was driving, told Angelito that they will drop by the Corazon Pawaon carinderia located in junction Boston-Cateel to pay his bill.

They slowed down and stopped there. They were about to alight from their vehicle when Angelito saw a black motorcycle with two men onboard. They were wearing shorts, black jackets, and ski masks. He saw the men slowing down and approaching them. Angelito saw one of the men pull out a .45 caliber pistol and eventually shoot at Ludenio.

Angelito pushed Ludenio away from the line of fire.  Another shot was fired but both of them were able to escape it. Just when the victims fell out of balance, a third shot was fired, hitting Ludenio near the left side of his armpit.

Before falling face down on the ground, Ludenio told Angelito to run for his life.  The assailants fired three more shots at Angelito who was hit in the left leg but was able to survive the attack.

Ludenio Monson is the tenth peasant victim of extrajudicial killing in the Southern Mindanao Region since the assassination of Celso Pojas in Davao City last May 15, 2008.