Peasant leader gunned down in Masbate

By Jaymee T. Gamil Southern Luzon Bureau LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines--A peasant leader in Monreal town in the island province of Masbate was harassed and shot dead near his house in Famosa village by around 20 unidentified men early Sunday morning, a police official said. Police said Alberto "Bito" Yusi, 48, President of the Samahan ng mga Anak ng Magsasaka ng Famosa (SAMFAI), sustained a bullet wound in his back that exited through his chest. Insp. Jerry Cerino, Monreal chief of police, said an M-16 rifle was used in the killing. Quoting witnesses, Cerino said the assailants were overheard speaking in Ilonggo and demanding that Yusi show papers about his peasant group. The police report corroborated a fact sheet e-mailed by a local community organization, the Masbate Center for Rural Development and Empowerment (MACARADE)... [read full story]