EXACTLY eight days ago I sat in front of Victor Olayvar, provincial chair of Bayan-Bohol, as he told the members of the Bohol Local Peace Forum (BLPF) about the threats to his life and the life of five others who are leaders of militant groups in Bohol. The meeting was convened by Gov. Erico B. Aumentado, Co-Chair of BLPF because the Chairman, Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak, has been reassigned to Camp Aguinaldo as Military Vicar. Bishop Tumulak, though, was also present. BLPF wanted to hear out the concerns of the militant groups previously relayed to Gov. Aumentado. The military and police officials were also invited so that problems could be addressed immediately.

The meeting was very cordial and so it was not difficult for BLPF to pass three resolutions, 1) a resolution appealing to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and CPP-NPA-NDF to resume their peace talks, and authorize talks at their lower branches to address local problems, 2) a resolution appealing to the CPP-NPA-NDF to stop collecting revolutionary taxes, and 3) a resolution asking the Police and the Military to ensure the safety of the militant leaders whose lives are reportedly threatened.

On this third resolution, Col. Arthur I. Tabaquero, CO, 302nd Bde, AFP offered the militant leaders to live in the camp as the only way to guarantee their safety. But since this is not practicable, it was agreed that whenever the militant leaders would go, they have to inform, even by text, P/SSupt. Arturo M. Evangelista so that he could direct his chiefs of police to provide them with security.

Six days after, Victor Olayvar was shot and killed by three motorcycle riding assassins while on his way early morning from Brgy. San Carlos to Poblacion, Danao. I asked P/SSupt. Evangelista if Olayvar was provided security, he said there was none because Olayvar did not inform him of where he was going.

Who are Olayvar's killers? The Police and the Fact-finding team of the Provincial Peace and Order Council could not identify them yet although several angles are now being pursued and motives being established. What is clear is that there is a group that wants our peace efforts shattered. And this is very sad for Bohol especially that we are now on our way to claiming our permanent niche in the world of eco-tourism and development.

It is convenient for the militant groups to tag the military as the perpetrators for that has always been their line of campaign. But given the background of the BLPF meeting where courses of actions were agreed between the militant groups and the police and the military, investigators must look for other possible motives for the killing in order to identify the perpetrators. In looking for the perpetrators, the guide question to ask is “Who is to gain from the death of Olayvar?” This is a crime whose motive is deeply rooted. Its solution will depend upon the cooperation of the citizens who have knowledge about it. For only when witnesses come out that investigation can prosper.