San Fernando Metropolis Mayor Vilma Caluag speculates that the killings in her metropolis might have a political motive
MANILA, Philippines – The Home public order and security committee initiated an investigation into the unresolved killings of at the very least six native public officers within the third District of Pampanga on Tuesday, November 26.
Within the listening to, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. stated there was a necessity for a deeper look into the killings of the native officers, following a string of incidents which started in April 2022.
Gonzales stated that the motives behind these killings, whether or not political, business-related, or private, remained unsure. Nonetheless, he expressed hope that the acts of violence concentrating on native public officers would quickly come to an finish.
Talking of the killings, Gonzales informed Rappler, “Dapat ala ng malilyaring anti kanini (Nothing like this could occur).”
“Apat la reng keng San Fernando pero ali ku pa balu nung nanu. Mayakit mu rin ing motibo nung politikal and personally, I believe intertwined naman uling dakal eh. Nung mag-intertwine ya yan, malyaring iyabe ta ya king quad comm,” he added.
(There are 4 in San Fernando. However I nonetheless don’t know. Finally the motive might be clear whether or not political and personally, I believe, they could possibly be intertwined as a result of there’s simply a lot of them. If they’re intertwined, they could possibly be included within the quad comm hearings.)
Political motive?
San Fernando Metropolis Mayor Vilma Caluag speculated that the killings in her metropolis might have a political motive. She stated the incidents, which occurred near the marketing campaign season, could possibly be politically associated, although she couldn’t rule out different components, she stated.
“Sure, there could possibly be politics. We gained’t disregard that angle. The final time one thing like this occurred within the metropolis was 50 years in the past,” Caluag added.
In the meantime, Arayat Mayor Maria Lourdes Alejandrino dismissed the concept of political motives in her city, though saying she was not round when the 2 incidents occurred.
The newest taking pictures incident occurred on November 12, when Arayat councilor Federico Hipolito and his companion, Barangay Batasan village chief Julito Trinidad, had been shot by unknown assailants. Hipolito was declared useless on arrival, whereas Trinidad, who sustained gunshot wounds, was rushed to the hospital.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims had simply alighted their automobile when the suspects, using a bike, opened fireplace.
This incident added to the sequence of killings concentrating on native authorities officers in Pampanga.
On April 30, 2022, simply two weeks earlier than the 2022 elections, Alvin Mendoza, Barangay Captain of Alasas in San Fernando, was ambushed. The suspect stays at massive, and the case was dismissed because of inadequate proof.
Lubao police govt grasp sergeant and case investigator Caezar Dalay revealed that one of many suspects, recognized as alias Jason Alvarez, is a frontrunner of a gun-for-hire group.
Dalay stated that Mendoza’s killing might have been politically motivated, or the suspect might have had a private grudge, as Mendoza was shot a number of instances.
Eight months later, on December 28, 2022, Jesus Liang, Barangay Captain of Sto. Rosario in San Fernando, was additionally killed. The suspect fled on foot and stays unidentified.
On April 17, 2023, former provincial board member and Pampanga Liga ng mga Barangay President Gerome Tubig was shot a number of instances by unidentified assailants in San Fernando. Tubig survived however was left with impaired imaginative and prescient.
Then, on June 11, 2024, Barangay Captain Matt Ryan Dela Cruz and his driver, Henry Aquino, had been shot useless at a fuel station in Barangay Del Pilar, additionally in San Fernando. The suspects stay at massive.
On August 11, 2024, Barangay Captain Mel Lumbang of Laquios, Arayat, was gunned down contained in the barangay corridor. Police have but to apprehend the perpetrators. Based on Gonzales, Lumbang had been planning to run for vice mayor within the upcoming elections. – Rappler.com
