House begins investigation into unsolved murders of local officials in Pampanga

San Fernando Mayor Vilma Caluag speculates that the killings in her city could have a political motive

MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives Committee on Public Order and Safety on Tuesday, November 26, launched an investigation into the unsolved killings of at least six local government officials in Pampanga’s Third District.

During the hearing, Vice Chairman Aurelio Gonzales Jr. said. that there is a need for a deeper investigation into the killings of local officials, following a series of incidents that began in April 2022.

Gonzales said the motives behind these killings, whether political, business or personal, remained uncertain. However, he expressed hope that the violence against local officials would soon end.

Speaking about the murders, Gonzales told Rappler: “Dapat ala ng malilyaring anti kanini (Something like that shouldn’t happen).”

“When you hear San Fernando, you can’t forget it. Mayakit mu rining motibo nung political and personal, i think intertwined naman uling dakal eh. Nug may you yan interweave, malyaring iyabe ta ya king quad comm”, he added.

(There are four in San Fernando. But I still don’t know. Eventually the motive will become clear whether they can be intertwined politically and personally, I think, because there are only a lot of them. If they are intertwined they can be involved during the quadcomm hearings.)

Political motive?

San Fernando Mayor Vilma Caluag speculated that the killings in her city could have a political motive. She said the incidents, which occurred just before the campaign season, could be politically related, although she could not rule out other factors, she said.

“Yes, there can be politics. We will not ignore this angle. The last time something like this happened in the city was 50 years ago,” Caluag added.

Meanwhile, Arayat Mayor Maria Lourdes Alejandrino rejected the idea of ​​political motives in her city, although she said she was not there when the two incidents occurred.

The latest shooting incident occurred on November 12, when Arayat councilor Federico Hipolito and his companion, Barangay Batasan village chief Julito Trinidad, were shot by unknown assailants. Hipolito was pronounced dead on arrival, while Trinidad, who suffered gunshot wounds, was rushed to hospital.

Initial investigation showed that the victims had just gotten out when the suspects, riding a motorcycle, opened fire.

This incident contributed to the series of killings of local government officials in Pampanga.

On April 30, 2022, just two weeks before the 2022 elections, Alvin Mendoza, barangay captain of Alasas in San Fernando, was ambushed. The suspect remains at large and the case was dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

Caezar Dalay, chief sergeant and investigator of the Lubao Police Department, revealed that one of the suspects, identified as Jason Alvarez, is a leader of a gun-for-hire group.

Dalay said Mendoza’s killing could have been politically motivated, or the suspect may have harbored a personal grudge, as Mendoza was shot multiple times.

Eight months later, on December 28, 2022, Jesus Liang, Barangay Captain of Sto. Rosario in San Fernando was also killed. The suspect fled on foot and remains unknown.

On April 17, 2023, Gerome Tubig, former provincial council member and president of Pampanga Liga ng mga Barangay, was shot multiple times by unknown assailants in San Fernando. Tubig survived but was left with impaired vision.

Then, on June 11, 2024, Barangay Captain Matt Ryan Dela Cruz and his driver, Henry Aquino, were shot dead at a gas station in Barangay Del Pilar, also in San Fernando. The suspects remain on the run.

On August 11, 2024, Barangay Captain Mel Lumbang of Laquios, Arayat, was shot in the barangay hall. The police have not yet been able to arrest the perpetrators. According to Gonzales, Lumbang planned to run for vice mayor in the upcoming elections. – Rappler.com