SAN NICOLAS – The police are still facing a blank wall in connection with the slaying of a leader of a militant group in eastern Pangasinan and the wounding of his brother Tuesday morning in barangay Camanggaan here.

Killed by three bullet wounds, one on the head and in the back was Jose Doton, 61, chairman of the Tignay Dagiti Mannalon a Mangwaya-waya ti Agno (Timmawa), a group affiliated with the bigger organization, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan.

Wounded on the chest and body was Doton’s younger brother, Diosdado, alias ‘Cancio’,  57,  an employee of the municipal government of San Nicolas.

The brothers were on board a single unit motorcycle bound for home at barangay Cabuloan (from the Poblacion) when fired upon by two men riding in another motorcycle wearing helmets.

The gunmen used caliber a .45 pistol as evidenced by six empty shells and one slug found at the crime scene.

The elder Doton is reportedly also a member of Bayan Muna, a partylist group.

Police Provincial Director Alan Purisima formed Task Force Doton, headed by Supt. Noli Taliño, chief of the Intelligence and Investigation Division, to track down the killers of Doton.

The task force is composed of elements from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, 107th Police Mobile Group, San Nicolas Police and the Philippine Army Infantry Battalion whose area includes Eastern Pangasinan.

Supt. Harris Fama, information officer of the Pangasinan PPO, said members of the task force already met last Thursday to map out an action plan that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.

Inspector Fernando Paneda said initial investigation showed that the crime was witnessed by people harvesting corn on both sides of the road but may not recognize the killers as they were quite far away from the scene and that the suspects were wearing helmets.   

Paneda identified Doton to be the leader of a group conducting rallies in protest against the San Roque Multi-Purpose Dam.

Fr. Terry Revolledo, chairman of BAYAN Pangasinan and of the Philippine Independent Church, denounced the killing of Doton and hoped that the task force formed by the police will really find the killers.

He said he was shocked to learn about the senseless killing of a farmer leader who is only helping his fellow farmers.

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