Mayor condemns killing, pols’ black propaganda

By Mar T. Supnad

CABUGAO, Ilocos Sur- Mayor Edgardo Cobangbang Jr., condemned Thursday the recent killing of two persons that destroyed the peace of this town even as he appealed to his detractors not to take advantage of the incident to advance their political agenda.

“As advocate of peace, I reiterate my condemnation of the recent killing of a reported security aide and his companion Honorata Sumibcay at the public market of Cabugao,” said Cobangbang.

At the same time, Cobangbang also assailed what he called “the act of scheming and grandstanding politicians in taking advantage of the incident to advance their political agenda.”

“I reiterate that as early as when I learned of the shooting, I immediately requested the police to conduct a thorough investigation in the same way that all similar incidents should be investigated. I remain confident that the police are doing their job and I respect their own initiatives in doing so. Rather than issuing unfounded allegations and finger pointing, I challenge those who claim to have useful information to report the same to the police who shall accordingly act on them,” said the mayor.

Earlier, local Liberal Party candidates Roqu eVersoza, running for governor; Efren Rafanan, running for vice governor and Trandy Baterina, running for congressman, 1st district, issued a statement that the killing was politically motivated and asked that the province be placed under Comelec control.

But Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson belittled the opposition’s claim, saying this was an isolated case and would not affect the peaceful environment of Cabugao and the province.

“Wala namang patayan na matindi dito, nagtataka naman kami, bakit nandito 'tong dalawang tao na biktima na to; hindi sila tagarito,” said Singson.

In the afternoon of Feb. 10, LP candidates claimed that one of their campaign leaders identified as Honorata Sumibcay, was shot dead at broad daylight at the public market of the municipality, together with her unidentified security aide.

Cobangbang asked the police to look into the case.

The mayor questioned why Honorata Sumibcay should be entitled to a security aide and upon whose authority was she provided with one. “Unfortunately, my detractors are attributing statements to the dead who obviously are not around to confirm such statements. If these were true, what have these supposed political leaders done to prosecute criminal activities reported to them? They did nothing and instead they harbored a self-confessed gun-for hire and invited goons into the municipality, thereby undermining our efforts to maintain peace in the municipality and in the province,” said Cobangbang.

“For almost three years already, I have faithfully served the people of Cabugao. I recognize the people’s intelligence and independent mindedness in choosing their leaders and no amount of violence can prevent them from taking the path of peace and progress. Further, the Comelec has decided to disqualify the only other candidate for Mayor in Cabugao in this coming 2013 local election. It is not in my best interest to sow fear or terror or to tolerate the same. These outrageous and despicable conducts are committed by people so desperate to assume power,” added Cobangbang.