Police probe if death of human rights activist linked to leftist group

Investigators are looking to the possibility that the killing of human rights activist Zara Alvarez is linked to her affiliation with leftist organizations.

Bacolod City Police Station 3 chief Police Captain Richard Fajarito said Tuesday Alvarez’s membership to different leftist groups is just one of the angles they are probing.
“Sa initial investigation namin po, hindi pa namin na-identify talaga ‘yung suspect sa pagbaril kay Zara Rebuton Alvarez, at may mga information na nakaabot sa amin na ang biktima ay miyembro ng Bayan Negros o Karapatan. So, we have to verify and confirm this kind of information… kung active siya sa ibang grupo,” Fajarito told GMA News Online.
(During our initial investigation, we have not identified the suspect in the shooting of Zara Rebuton Alvarez, and there was information that reached us that the victim was a member of Bayan Negros or Karapatan. So, we have to verify and confirm this kind of information…if she is active in another group.)

“Isa rin po ito sa mga anggulo na iniimbestigahan namin kung mayroong ano dito, kasi affiliated siya sa ganitong grupo. ‘Yan po ang isa sa mga anggulo na iniimbestigahan namin,” he added.

(This is also one of the angles we are investigating because she is affiliated with this group.)

Authorities would also investigate if the human rights activist had enemies who could have a motive to kill Alvarez, Fajarito said.

Also read: Human rights activist shot dead in Bacolod City

Police probe if death of human rights activist linked to leftist group

“Hindi pa natin makausap ang pamilya niya. Diyan din natin malalaman kung may personal siyang kaaway na baka gumawa rin sa kaniya ng ganito,” he said.

(We have not been able to talk to her family yet. We will also find out if she has a personal enemy who might have done this to her.)

According to Fajarito, witnesses said a man was seen escaping from the crime scene along Sta. Maria Street in Ereco Subdivision. Some citizens chased the suspect, but a getaway motorcycle was waiting for him, and they were able to flee.

Based on the initial investigation, Fajarito said the human rights activist was just about to return to her boarding house when the shooting happened.

Human rights group Karapatan also said the Alvarez was among those tagged as “terrorists” in the proscription case of the Department of Justice filed in 2018.