Double 1981 Murder of Seattle-Based Marcos Opponents Silme Domingo and Gene Viernes; Philippine Dictator Marcos and CIA Suspected

Explosive Secrets of Covert CIA Companies

Rodney Stich
2006

Michael Withey, a tall man in his early '30's strode into the room. His face bore a partial sneer as Belli introduced him to Rewald. "Ronald Rewald, meet Michael Withey," Belli said, partially hauling himself out of his chair as he spoke. The two men shook hands. Rewald then eyed Belli, Quizzingly. ... "Michael would like to discuss some things with you that may be connected to Bishop Baldwin," [note: CIA-tied investment firm Bishop, Baldwin, Rewald, Dillingham and Wong] Belli announced, relishing the building mystery of the moment. Rewald nodded in agreement and turned to face the stranger.

"I have a few questions about the garbage you hung out with," the man snarled without warning. Rewald, suddenly very alerted, looked puzzled. "CIA?" Rewald asked. "Your sort of people, I suppose," Withey sneered. Rewald bristled, and asked, "What's your problem, fella?" Withey stuck a finger in Rewald's face. "They should lock all you scum up," the stranger said. "You're bad for this country. A bunch of petty killers!" "Killers?" Rewald said, glancing as he spoke at Belli, who sat with his fingers interlocked across his stomach. A sly smile cemented on his face, his eyes ablaze as he drank in the scene. "You're reading too many spy novels," Rewald added.

Withey pulled some documents from his briefcase and handed Rewald one with a copy of a check stapled on it. Rewald quickly scanned the document and examined both sides of the check and then handed it back to the man. "It's ours," he said. "So what?" Belli and Withey exchanged knowing looks. "It was in support of a mission in the Phillippines, I believe," Rewald said, calmly. "You don't know about the mission?" Withey asked, amazement crossing his face. "No, I had no need to know."

Withey then produced a photograph of a man who appeared to be a Filipino. "Tony Busto used the money to hire two hit men to assassinate a couple of anti-Marcos union attorneys in Seattle. They gunned them down in cold blood. I know their wives and children." Withey withdrew from his briefcase pictures of the two bullet-riddled bodies and of the wives and children.

"You really's didn't know?" Withey asked, shaking his head. Rewald was now subdued, deeply troubled. There was nothing he could say but shake his head negatively.

Attorneys say Marcos ordered murders in Seattle

UPI
By DENNIS ANSTINE
Nov. 20, 1989

SEATTLE -- Late Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos ordered the 1981 murders of two union reformers who were working in the United States for the downfall of the dictator, a lawyer said Monday in opening arguments of a $30 million lawsuit.

The civil suit against the Marcos estate, brought by the Committee for Justice for Silme Domingo and Gene Viernes, accuses Marcos of directing the June 1, 1981, murders at a cannery union hall in Seattle.

The committee and its lawyers have lined up a long list of witnesses, including current and former political and intelligence officials of both governments. They also have videotapes of both Marcos and his wife giving depositions from their exile in Hawaii in 1986 and 1987.

'We won't show you a death warrant signed by Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos,' plaintiffs' lawyer Jeff Robinson said, 'but the evidence will clearly establish a direct link between the intelligence operation Marcos set up in the United States to smash any opposition to his regime, and the death of Domingo and Viernes.'

The two men, both of Philippine descent but born and raised in Washington state, were anti-Marcos activitists who had plans to spend time in the Philippines investigating alleged brutalities by the Marcos regime.

Three men were convicted of killing Domingo and Viernes -- Pompeyo 'Ben' Guloy Jr., Jimmie Ramil and Fortunato 'Tony' Dictado, the leader of the 'Tulisan' gang based in Seattle's large Filipino community. All three are in prison without possiblity of parole.

King County prosecutors based their case against the three on the theory Domingo and Viernes were killed for their efforts to reform the cannery union in Seattle, never raising the issue of their opposition to the Marcos' regime.

But the civil lawsuit claims the killers were hired assassins of the Marcos government aided by U.S. intelligence information.

Robinson said the two men were killed because of their opposition to the Marcos regime and because they were leading a rebellion against cannery union President Tony Baruso and other Marcos loyalists.

Baruso, whose submachine gun was identified as the murder weapon, also is a defendant in the civil suit. He was not charged in the murders and claims the gun was stolen. Baruso later was convicted of embezzling union money and served a prison term. He is expected to testify in the monthlong trial.

The lawsuit also lists as a defendant Dr. Leonilo Malabed, a San Francisco businessman and childhood friend of Marcos. Robinson said Malabed controlled a secret slush fund, financing the intelligence network in this country, and kauthorized $15,000 for the killers of the two union leaders.

Robinson also said the CIA and the FBI were aware of the intelligence operations and often traded information with the Filipino network. Robinson said plaintiffs intend to show the CIA and other U.S. intelligence organizations fed information to the Marcos government about anti-Marcos activity in the Northwest.

Robinson said Domingo and Viernes were targeted for assassination after returning in May 1981 from Hawaii, where they attended a union meeting that included the passing of a resolution to send an investigative team to Manila.

'That trip brought them to the attention of the Marcos operatives in the United States,' Robinson said. 'From there on in they were under surveillance by agents in this country.'

Viernes also had spent two months in the Philippines earlier in 1981, talking with union, religion and student leaders of anti-Marcos groups.