LEGAZPI CITY - The alleged mastermind in the killing of Methodist pastor and Kilusan and Mangbubukid sa Pilipinas (KMP) Bicol chapter chairman Isaias Sta. Rosa over a year ago is now a free man after the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the murder charge filed against him for lack of merit.

        Army Major Marc P. Rosal of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division based in Pili, Camarines Sur, one Arnaldo L. Manjares and 10 other John Does last May 25, 2007 were charged for the murder of Sta. Rosa who was found dead with gunshot wounds last August 3, 2006 in Bgy. Malobago, Daraga, Albay.

        Albay Provincial Prosecutor Maria Teresa A. Mahiwo, in a three-page decision said that after thorough investigation and examination of the evidences submitted, her office found no sufficient ground to pursue the case.

        Pastor Sta. Rosa was found dead with his hands tied beside a creek not far from his house. He sustained several bullet wounds on different parts of his body. Near Pastor’s body was another dead man wearing a bonnet, black shorts and rubber shoes whom investigators later identified as Army Cpl. Lordger Pastrana.

        Investigators confirmed Pastrana to be a member of Rosal’s 9th infantry division. Found in his possession were a .45 caliber pistol, a mission order, and a cellular phone believed to have been taken away from Sta. Rosa’s house.

        Sta. Rosa’s younger brother Jonathan identified Pastrana as one of the assailants who barged into their house last Aug. 3. Pastrana’s mission order dated July 11, 2006 was signed by Major Rosal. Mahiwo pointed out that the recovered mission order per se which was the only evidence submitted to link Rosal to the crime was not sufficient proof.

        Mahiwo also explained that there was no evidence to show Pastrana as Sta. Rosa’s killer and no eyewitness could confirm such speculation either.

        Mahiwo, however, asked high-ranking officials of the AFP to help identify the alleged ten armed men who accompanied Pastrana when they barged into Sta.Rosa’s home before killing him with gunshots at the creek nearby.

        John Concepcion, spokesman of militant Karapatan Bicol said they will elevate Sta. Rosa’s case to the International Commission on Human Rights even as he charged the military as behind the spate of extra-judicial killings in Bicol.