The Afdal family, who continues to grieve following the death of the late retired Colonel Samuel G. Afdal two years ago, has seen a glimmer of hope that justice would be served.
Two years after the killing of Afdal, who is known to many as Saga, a breakthrough of the case was achieved as the gunman had confessed to “helping organize and carry out the kill plot upon the inducement of the financial reward.”
The family mentioned that the gunman further pointed out three more conspirators, one of whom he named as the mastermind.
“In a courageous act of letting the truth come out and with this new information, we are hopeful that the cause of justice for Afdal will gather momentum,” it said.
The family also expressed their gratitude to the efforts of the Philippine Army’s 75th Infantry Batallion, Rosario Municipal Police in Agusan del Sur, and the Death Investigation Division of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
It can be recalled that on October 26, 2021, Afdal was ambushed in Santa Cruz, Rosario, Agusan del Sur while driving uphill toward an area where he has a mining prospect.
According to the briefer shared with the media, Afdal was alone when he was attacked and, although he was hit, he was still able to drive from the ambush site to the compound of Rosario Manobo Mining Corp. to seek help and from there he was rushed to a hospital for immediate medical attention.
The Rosario Municipal Police arrested a certain Jeffrey Mamerto. The accounts of several witnesses pointed to at least two others possibly involved in attacking Afdal.
However, on November 15, 2021, Afdal passed away while undergoing medication for his injuries in a hospital.
On August 17, 2022, the complaint for murder against Mamerto before the Agusan del Sur Provincial Prosecutor’s Office was filed.
On November 8, 2022, the Agusan del Sur prosecutor’s office found probable cause to indict Mamerto and two other unidentified suspects for the killing of Afdal.
On October 26, 2023, exactly two years after the attack, Afdal’s widow, Evelyn, filed a complaint-affidavit before the Agusan del Sur Provincial Prosecutor’s Office against another suspect, who was identified by Mamerto as the alleged mastermind.
“We call for everyone to let the wheels of justice roll unimpeded. This is the best tribute we can offer Afdal who helped bring law and order in Agusan del Sur as a fine soldier, as a businessman who helped foster economic progress in his communities,” it said.
Afdal, who served the army for 20 years, sat as president of Philsaga Mining Corporation and initiated a deal with the Manobo tribe by indicating a royalty payment that is higher than what is mandated by law. He later sold his interest in Philsaga to start a new one in partnership with the Manobo tribe in Agusan.
Afdal was an avid rider and was a member of the “On Any Sunday Riders Club” of Davao City.
