24 October 2015
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) condemned the killing of Loreto, Agusan del Sur Mayor Dario Otaza and called on authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.
"Mayor Otaza has been a steadfast partner of TESDA in promoting technical vocational education and training, especially among the youth of Caraga region," Irene Isaac, TESDA officer-in-charge, said.
"As we mourn with the family over his loss, we urge the police and concerned authorities to do all they can to bring the perpetrators of these murders to justice," Isaac said.
Florencio Sunico Jr., TESDA-Caraga director, said Otaza was an exemplary local executive who had made "great strides" in empowering his constituents, including indigenous communities, by giving them access to education.
Sunico also hailed Otaza in his efforts to foster peace in his town through sustainable development.
"Mayor Dario Otaza is a committed partner and one of our distinguished 2015 provincial level Kabalikat awardees for exemplary partnership and contributions to the technical vocational education and training in Caraga," he said.
"We strongly condemn the heinous ways by which he and his son were meted their deaths from those who wanted to silence his advocacy towards the promotion of just and lasting peace," Sunico added.
Otaza and his son, Daryl, were found dead early Tuesday morning in Barangay Bitan-agan in Butuan City by members of the Army.
Otaza was a former rebel and a member of the Manobo indigenous people's group.
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