LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Governor Ramon V. Guico III appealed for peaceful, safe, and orderly Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to be conducted on October 30.
In a press conference held on October 26 relative to the untimely demise of a barangay electoral candidate in Aguilar who was gunned down on October 22, the governor reiterated his call, stating that candidates should be fair in winning elections. “Let us not resort to crime and violence. Hindi po worth it at hindi po tama ang ganito,” he said.
The governor’s call for unity among people in Pangasinan was earlier cascaded to all local chief executives in the province. “Ako ay nalungkot sa nangyari. I was calling for a peaceful election even when I met with all mayors, sa ating flag-raising ceremony hiniling ko po ay peaceful election,” Gov. Guico added.
Meanwhile, the governor expressed appreciation to the police force for their commitment to service, which led to the apprehension of the suspects behind the murder of Arnel Adolfo Flormata.
Commending the bravery of the Pangasinan Philippine National Police led by Provincial Director Jeff Fanged,Gov. Guico disclosed that within 48 hours of the incident, the steadfast investigation led to the voluntary surrender of the suspect, who confessed his participation in the crime and revealed the identity of the gunman and the mastermind. “After filing appropriate charges, the case is now considered solved,” he stated.
Police Col. Fanged, on the other hand, stated that the PNP declared the incident in Aguilar as election-related.
“A case of murder was filed on Wednesday, October 25, at the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor against the three suspects. Thus, this case is already considered solved due to the immediate and efficient response of our PNP Pangasinan team. This proves that we are committed to speedy justice and any candidate who will resort to violence will face the full force of the law. Your police will continue to maintain peace and order in the province during this political exercise. That is our commitment to our kabaleyans for this BSKE,” P/Col. Fanged said.
As a support to the family of Flormata, the provincial government, through Governor Guico, awarded a financial assistance of P100,000.
Jacquelyn Flormata, the slain candidate’s wife, filed her candidacy on October 25 as substitute for her late husband in the BSKE.
(Ruby R. Bernardino/Pangasinan PIO)
