Boracay Aetas renew appeal for arrest of their spokesman's killer

Ati tribe leaders in this resort-island have renewed their appeal to President Benigno Aquino III and the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the arrest of the suspect in the killing of their spokesman early this year.

In a statement, the Aetas said their lives continue to be threatened while the suspect remains at-large.

The Aklan Provincial Prosecutor’s Office has recently indicted suspect Daniel Celestino, a security guard of a resort here.

"The Aquino administration and the PNP has promised us that they will exert all efforts to give us justice on the killing of Dexter Condez. Yet, seven months after Condez was killed, the suspect remains at-large," the Aetas said.

The manifesto was signed by tribal leaders of the Boracay Ati Tribal Organization, namely Delsa Justo, their chieftain, together with Perla Tamboon, Marina Francisco, Elsa Tamboon, Lourdes Tamboon, Armando Conching, Evangeline Tamboon, Maria Tamboon and Jocelyn Evangelio.

"The question we have been asking ourselves is, as an Ati, is there a space for justice for us?," the signatories asked.

Police said they are eyeing land dispute as the primary motive in the killing of Condez.

Celestino together with his lawyers had earlier talked to the media here, denying his involvement in the killing.