MAMBA: WHERE IS JUSTICE FOR ‘APARRI 6’?

TUGEUGARAO CITY: Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba has expressed disappointment with the long wait for justice on the killing of the so-called “Aparri Six.”

Mamba showed his dismay during the commemoration of the killing of Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda of Aparri, Cagayan and five others on Monday.

On Feb. 19, 2023, Alameda and his group were riding a black Hyundai Starex van on their way to a meeting of the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines in Manila when at least six gunmen stopped the vehicle in Sitio Kinacao, Barangay Baretbet in the town of Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya.

The gunmen then opened fire at the Starex, killing Alameda, his cousin and driver John Duane Alameda, 46; Alexander de los Angeles, 47; Alvin Abel, 48; Abraham Ramos Jr., 48; and Ismael Nanay, all of Aparri town.

The killers then drove off in a white Mitsubishi Adventure with an allegedly copied government license plate SFN 713, based on footage from a security TV camera.

“It is saddening that until this time, which is exactly one year since they were killed, no mastermind has ever been identified in the killing of the Aparri Six,” Mamba said.

“There is still no clarity on this case. No case has been filed yet on who is behind it even though the Senate has already intervened and investigated. I hope that it will be clarified in the coming days.”

The governor also expressed his sympathy to the families and relatives of the Aparri Six.

Also on Monday, the Facebook page of Vice Mayor Alameda’s wife, Elizabeth, announced that they are holding a prayer vigil to commemorate the first anniversary of the murder of the victims.