2 Lapid supporters shot, hurt; cops probing case

BY GEORGE TRILLO

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Police are still looking for perpetrators in the shooting of two men posting campaign materials for re-electionist Gov. Mark Lapid who were shot and wounded in Lubao town recently.

This developed as non-Catholic supporters of priest-turned-independent gubernatorial candidate Fr. Eddie Panlilio joined his team of “prayer warriors” amid a purported “Oplan Gomburza” to assassinate him.

Lapid’s camp said the governor’s two supporters were shot night of Holy Wednesday but reported the incident only the other day.

Records at the Pampanga Medical Specialists Center in Guaga town confirmed that the two, aged 21 and 31, sustained bullet wounds in the back and nape, respectively, and were released from the hospital on Easter Sunday.

The victim’s identities were known by newsmen but Lapid requested that they not be named upon their wishes.

Lapid said the victims did not report the incident to the police because they feared for the lives.

“While I have instructed my legal team to get a full report of the incident, we have to temporarily respect the wishes of the victims (to remain unidentified),” he said.

Lapid said a man on board a van shot his two supporters with a Cal. 22 pistol while they were posting campaign materials in Barangay San Roque Dau in Lubao, hometown of Lapid’s rival, provincial board member Lilia Pineda.

Lapid cited reports that his campaign leaders in Arayat, Masantol, Lubao, Mexico and Bacolor towns have been receiving threats.

He called on all candidates to abide by the peace covenant they signed in the presence of Archbishop Paciano Aniceto at the San Fernando Cathedral last week.

“A number of our leaders in several towns have received death threats either through mail or text messages. There seems to be a pervading pattern of intimidation, and this does not bid well for peaceful and clean elections,” he said.

“We will stand by our leaders and supporters and will use all legal means to protect them,” he said. “I also call on our people to be extra-vigilant and report to us and the proper authorities any attempt to thwart the will of the electorate of our province.”