By Ralph Cedric Rosario

Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. on Monday (November 18) blamed hired assassins for the series of murders victimizing barangay and local officials in his congressional district.

In a privilege speech, Gonzales asked the Philippine National Police to put an end to the “senseless” killings and put the masterminds and assassins before the bar of justice.

The senior House official revealed that at least five barangay officers and a municipal councilor have been killed between April 30, 2022 and last Tuesday, Nov. 12.

“Nakakalungkot isipin na hindi pa man nareresolba ang mga patayan noong 2022 ay patuloy pa ring nangyayari ang mga ganitong klaseng krimen sa aking distrito,” the senior House leader told his colleagues.

He said mentioned a number of possible motives in the killings, including illegal drug trade, quarrying, illegal gambling or politics.

Regardless of the motive, he stressed that police must arrest the perpetrators of the killings.

“Ilan pa ba ang mamatay bago kumilos ang lokal na kapulisan?” Gonzales asked.

Gonzales is seeking congressional inquiry into the violence.

He said the killings are being perpetrated by hitmen and assassins “with impunity.”

He called on the local police to “enforce the law to the fullest extent - they must keep the peace, arrest and prosecute the criminals and bring them to the bar of justice.”

The veteran solon also said the victims’ families “deserve both justice and closure.”

“The perpetrators must be exposed and should be punished within the full extent of the law. Their conviction shall provide the victims’ family with closure and shall allow them to begin to heal and mourn the loss properly,” he said.

He enumerated the slaying/shooting incidents in his district:

- On April 30, 2022, Barangay Captain Alvin Mendoza of Alasas, City of San Fernando, was killed in an ambush staged by an unidentified gunman who fired 16 shots to the victim’s body.

-Almost eight months later, on Dec. 28, 2022, Barangay Captain Jesus Liang of Sto. Rosario, also in San Fernando City, was walking across the newly renovated public market when a male gunman approached and shot him dead before fleeing on foot. Suspect remains unidentified.

-On April 17, 2023, former Board Member and Pampanga Liga ng mga Barangay President Gerome Tubig was shot multiple times in front of VL Makabali Memorial Hospital in the City of San Fernando.

A year later, on June 11, 2024 Barangay Captain Matt Ryan de la Cruz and his driver Henry Aquino were gunned down at a gasoline station in Del Pilar, another barangay in San Fernando City. Both victims suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died on-the-spot. Suspects also have not been identified.

On August 11, 2024 Barangay Captain Norberto “Mel” Lumbang of Laquios, Arayat was killed by a rifle-wielding man inside the barangay hall. Lumbang, who was planning to run for vice mayor next year, died on the spot. Suspects still at large.

And just last Tuesday, Nov. 12, a municipal councilor in Arayat, Pampanga was killed while his companion was wounded in an attack by motorcycle-riding assailants in Barangay Telapayong.

Councilor Federico Hipolito was declared dead on arrival in a hospital, where his companion, Brgy. Captain Julito Trinidad of Barangay Batasan was also taken for treatment of a gunshot wound. The victims had just alighted from a tricycle when the suspects arrived and shot them.