Press Statement from the family of the late Benito B. Astorga

January 29, 2007

Re: Press Statement by the Arnulfo Ortiz Command of the New People’s Army admitting the Murder of Mayor Benito B. Astorga

The Press Statement dated 26 January 2007 issued by the Arnulfo Ortiz Command, New People’s Army (“NPA”), Provincial Command, Samar, allegedly signed by a certain Vicente Magbuhat, is a mere fabrication. For one, Philippine National Police Provincial Director, P/SSupt. Asdali Idja Abah, issued a statement on ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol News Program on 28 January 2007, that the Arnulfo Ortiz Command of the NPA does not operate in Samar.

The family believes that the Murder was politically motivated. Hence, the said press statement was concocted by the political opponents of the late Mayor Benito Astorga to mislead the people and the investigators as to the real perpetrators of the crime. The family has full trust and confidence that the authorities will come out with the truth so that justice will be served.

(Sgd.) Severa Astorga-Buquid