BAYAN-Bohol commemorates the death of Victor Olayvar with protest

September 08, 2008. Members of militant organizations under Bayan-Bohol and local human rights groups numbering more than 500 brave the strong rain in Ubay, Bohol to stage a protest-rally in commemoration of the 2nd death anniversary of Bayan-Chaiperson Victor Olayvar. The rallyists demand justice for his death and other victims of political killings, human rights violations and corruption under the present administration. The march begun at 1:30 in the afternoon from the Ubay Cultural center and rally was staged in front of the public market until 4:00 in the afternoon. Issues tackled by the different speakers ranged from the demand for justice for Victor and other victims, militarization and harassments in the peasant areas, anti-small farmers agricultural projects like oil palm and jathropa plantation, and the issues of corruption in the controversial Bayungan dam and the recently dismissed corruption case on unfinished Talibon Small River Impounding Project.

In the city of Tagbilaran, members of the militant women’s alliance, Gabriela-Bohol also staged a ricorida and distributed leaflets demanding justice for Victor and other political killing victims and victims of the economic and political crisis brought about by the fascist and corrupt US-Arroyo regime.

 

The day the fascist military death squads took the life of Victor Olayvar - Barely five days after attending the Bohol Local Peace Forum convened by Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak and Governor Erico Aumentado with the 302nd brigade PA on September 2, 2006, Victor Olayvar y Quisto, the Chairperson of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)- Bohol was gunned down in Cantubod, Danao, Bohol. The incident happened only a kilometer away from a 15th IB military detachment in Sta. Fe, Danao. He was the 5th victim of political killings in the province since Gloria came to office.

Victor Olayvar has been a vocal, stern and sturdy critic to the administration while he advanced the rights of the farmers for genuine agrarian reform and pursued justice to those who became victims of repression and oppression. Olayvar is visible in the tingling agrarian issues in the province which include the land occupation of farmers into idle lands, land distribution of CARPable lands, multi-million and President- backed palm oil industry, corruption- laden and anomalous dams, right to basic services of the poor farmers, ouster of the Arroyo administration, and militarization.

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John Ruiz III
Secretary General