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Still no justice for 'Tiny,' soldier with a big heart

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Queenie Casimiro, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/news-special1/nation/06/24/julian-paolo-tiny-perez-062416.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Photo courtesy of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process</div></figcaption></figure></div>ZAMBOANGA CITY - Authorities remain clueless on the motive behind the killing of decorated military officer Lt. Col. CJ Paolo &#x27;Tiny&#x27; Perez in Zamboanga City on Sunday.According to Supt. Luisito Magnaye, Zamboanga City Police Office OIC, they are still waiting for the report from the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), which has custody of Perez&#x27;s cellphone.Magnaye said the ACG is investigating the people whom Perez last communicated with.According to police, Perez was celebrating Fathers&#x27; Day with his family and friends in his home in Buenbrazo Drive, Aurora Village, Tumaga when he received a call on his mobile phone.Several gunshots were later heard. Perez was then found almost lifeless at the back of his residence. Efforts to revive him in the hospital proved futile.One of the angles being probed is Perez&#x27;s campaign against the Abu Sayyaf Group when he was still the commander of the 18th Army Battalion in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan.He commanded the battalion for two years.Perez was known for his relentless campaign against the bandit group in the province. He also led numerous operations that resulted in the arrest of a number of Abu Sayyaf Group members and the capture of some camps.<div>HEART FOR THE PEOPLE</div>Aside from being a soldier, Perez, who was fondly called &quot;Tiny,&quot; was also known for his various peace efforts.Mirriam Suacito of the Nagdilaab Foundation in Basilan said she will miss working with Perez on projects.During his stint as battalion commander, Perez, together with the Nagdilaab Foundation, conducted a leadership summit, which was attended by youth from various barangays in Ungkaya Pukan in Basilan.He was also instrumental in getting the support of a famous fast-food chain to feed school children in the towns of Ungkaya Pukan and Al-Barka, both in Basilan.Suacito said Perez was also part of a program initiated by the Australian Aid for International Agency (AUSAID), which was intended to benefit out-of-school youth.His most successful project was the creation of a football team composed of orphaned children whose parents were killed by the Abu Sayyaf Group. With the help of well-meaning friends, Perez was able to send these kids to school. Some of them have finished college under the program.Suacito revealed Perez recently provided school uniforms to his scholars in time for the opening of classes, even if he had already been transferred to the First Army Division in Pulacan, Zamboanga del Sur.Suacito said Perez had &quot;the heart for the poor children of Basilan, being a Basilenio himself.&quot;She said Perez often expressed his wish to see the people of Basilan live in peace someday.<div>HAPPY SOUL</div>At his wake, people from various sectors of the society mourned.Apparently, aside from the AFP and PNP, Perez also made friends in other fields like the business sector, religious groups, academe, politics and other groups, who all talked about the officer&#x27;s charming personality.&quot;There was never a dull command conference when Tiny was present,&quot; said a veteran military officer.It was very rare to see him not smiling.A young military officer, meanwhile, posted on his social media account his fond memories of Perez, whom he described as &quot;fatherly and was never angry for a long time for errors committed by his men.&quot;Even members of the media felt bad about Perez&#x27;s death.Julie Alipala of Inquirer recalled how Perez would call in the middle of the night to tip her of an ongoing operation in the hinterlands of Basilan.&quot;Tumatawag talaga &#x27;yan sabay sabing: &#x27;Huwag mo ko i-quote ha,&#x27;&quot; Alipala said.In exchange for the information, he would ask Alipala to bring mosquito repellant lotion and mosquito coils if she visits Basilan to follow up on the story.Tipo-Tipo Mayor Tong Istarul expressed dismay over Perez&#x27;s untimely demise.&quot;Nanghihinayang kami lahat dito,&quot; Istarul said over the phone. &quot;Siya na sana ang unang general from Basilan.&quot;Istarul said Perez was loved by the people of Tipo-Tipo. He even had a good relationship with members of the Moro National Liberation Front and Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Basilan. It was only the ASG he said, who were Perez&#x27;s enemies.Istarul recalled how Perez sent soldiers to a school in Amaloy, Tipo-Tipo to teach for at least three months since no teacher wanted to report to the school due to security threats. &quot;He was really concerned about the teachers and the welfare of the students,&quot; Istarul added.Perez&#x27;s remains were airlifted to Manila. Friends and relatives in Zamboanga were given two days to pay their last respects to the slain soldier.He left his wife and three children who are all praying justice will be served.

Authorities remain clueless on the motive behind the killing of decorated military officer Lt. Col. CJ Paolo 'Tiny' Perez in Zamboanga City on Sunday. 

Still no justice for 'Tiny,' soldier with a big heart

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Still no justice for 'Tiny,' soldier with a big heart

Queenie Casimiro,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 24, 2016 09:14 PM PHT

|

Updated June 27, 2016 03:26 PM PHT

Read More:

Zamboanga

instant articles

crime

army

basilan

abu sayyaf

justice

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