NUEVA ECIJA

Close aide of N. Ecija mayor gunned down
BY LIAM ANACLETO

SAN LEONARDO, Nueva Ecija – A close aide of this town’s mayor was gunned down by motorcycle-riding men here night of July 2, police said.

Senior Supt. Agrifino Gonzales Javier, newly installed provincial police director, said the victim, engineer Mauro Legaspi Balajadia Jr., 49, was on his way home when his car was peppered with bullets at around 7:55 p.m. that night killing him on the spot.

Balajadia was a known political supporter and loyal ally of Mayor Froilan Nagano and the mayor’s elder brother, Vice Mayor Eulinio.

He once served as municipal engineer under Eulinio, a former three-term mayor.

At the time of his death, he was the assistant operations manager of the small-town lottery (STL).

Javier said it was still premature to blame politics for Balajadia’s killing, saying they are looking at all angles.

Javier admitted killings in this province have become alarming, adding Philippine National Police Chief Director General Oscar Calderon has ordered him to stem the tide of slaying.

Balajadia is the fifth Novo Ecijano and the second political supporter killed in the province in a span of four days.

Last Saturday, three men, including a barangay chairman, were shot dead in Barangay Dos in the Joson’s home town of Quezon .

Slain were barangay chief Miguel Sta. Ana, former provincial jail guard Victor Ramos, and Florencio Alberto Jr. Sta. Ana was a known supporter of Mayor Eduardo Basilio Joson, son of former vice governor Mariano Cristino Joson.

Their killing came a day after an elementary school principal, Fortunato Malubag, was attacked by two motorcycle-riding gunmen in Barangay San Andres Uno.

Javier said the perpetrators of the latest wave of killings were motorcycle-riding gunmen who used their vehicles for easy escape.


STL executive killed by two gunmen in N. Ecija
BY LIAM ANACLETO

SAN LEONARDO, Nueva Ecija – An assistant manager of the small-town lotto (STL) outfit in the province was shot to death by two motorcycle-riding armed men in his car inside the compound of his residence here last Monday night July 2.

Police chief Senior Insp. Joselito Villarosa identified the victim as Mauro Legaspi Balajadia Jr., 49, married, STL assistant manager for operations in this province, Purok 5, Barangay Mallorca, this town.

Police are still investigating motive behind the killing. Senior Supt. Agripino Gonzales-Javier immediately formed a task force to look deeply into this latest violent incident.

Balajadia, a former municipal engineer, was a supporter of Mayor Froilan Nagano of this town, and the mayor’s elder brother, Vice Mayor Eulinio Nagano.

The police reported that the two gunmen arrived at the yard of his house, and one of them fired a gun repeatedly at the victim who was seated behind the wheel of his car.

Informed of the killing, Gov. Aurelio Umali gave Javier three months to come up with a comprehensive report on the immediate past and recent violent incidents.

These included the killing of an elementary school principal, a barangay chairman and two others of Quezon town which occurred the past four days,. “These killings should stop,” he said.