Northern Samar officials cry justice for slain Palapag town official

TACLOBAN CITY, May 4 (PNA) -- The mayor of Palapag, Northern Samar has called for fair investigation on the shooting incident that killed their town council secretary.

Mayor Manuel Aoyang said the death of Emil Go is a big loss not only to their political group, but also to the oppressed individuals.

The town mayor said the voters and candidates should stop raising issue on Go’s death to get sympathy for political advancement.

On April 29, Go, the lead convener of Bayan Muna in Northern Samar province was gunned down by two unidentified men at his house in Tinampo village, Palapag town.

Aoyang claimed that a candidate for governor has accused the influential Ong family in Northern Samar as behind the killing.

“The Ongs are not known for killing. Their clan and the victim’s family have close ties since the 1970s,” the mayor added.

He added that before his death, Go proclaimed his all-out support for the  re-election bid of Governor Jose Ong, the brother of Northern Samar Rep. Emil Ong.

Ong is challenged by Monsignor Walter Cerbito, once the vicar general of the Diocese of Catarman, one of four candidates vying for the position of governor in Northern Samar.

Ong visited the wake of Go on Saturday, condemned the killing and ordered the Philippine National Police provincial office to conduct a thorough investigation of the murder.

"We should not be cowed by fear with this event,” Ong said.

The governor also released a statement on accusations implicating his name to the death of Go. “I categorically deny this baseless charge. I do not have goons,” said Ong.

He added that if there is somebody capable to do such dastardly act and harassment, it is no other than his opponent who is a known supporter of the New People’s Army.

In a statement released by Palapag town police station, Chief Insp. Joseph Quelitano said that as of press time, they are still not considering it as “election related violence.”

“Our police station is conducting intensive investigation for the identification and apprehension of the suspects. Follow-up operations are continuously conducted to resolve the case in the soonest as possible time. Focused police operations and intelligence-driven initiatives are conducted to ensure Secure and Fair Election 2016,” the official said.

Philippine League of Secretaries to the Sanggunian, Inc. (PLEASES) Northern Samar Chapter through their president Jesse Tenedero also released a statement condemning the shooting incident, denouncing it as “cowardly act.”

“The organization was deeply hurt with the brutal killing knowing that Emil is an active member and partner in promoting the welfare of the organization,” the group said.

Aside from being the lead convener of Bayan Muna when it was established in Northern Samar in 2001, Go was also the leader of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) from 2001 to 2004, and a convener human rights watchdog Katungod in 1999. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA/EGR