Gonzales seeks probe into spate of killings, violence hounding Pampanga

House Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. (File photo from the House of Representatives)

MANILA, Philippines — House Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. has asked his fellow lawmakers to investigate the recent spate of killings and violence in Pampanga — his home province.

These incidents included a gun attack last November 12.

Gonzales, in a privilege speech last Monday, told the House plenary that senseless killings have happened in Pampanga from April 30, 2022 up to November 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,” Gonzales, who represents Pampanga’s 3rd District, said.

(It’s sad to think that we have not resolved the killings in 2022, yet these kinds of crimes continue to happen in my district.)

“And I can’t help but think: Are these recent deaths related to illegal activities? Away kaya ito sa negosyo? May kinalaman kaya ito sa (May 2025) eleksyon?… Ilan pa ba ang mamatay bago kumilos ang lokal na kapulisan?” he asked.

(And I can’t help but think: Are these recent deaths related to illegal activities? Is this about a fight due to business interests? Is this related to the May 2025 elections? How many more people have to die before the police take action?)

According to Gonzales, at least four barangay officials in San Fernando City and a councilor in Arayat town have been killed, while one barangay officer survived an ambush.

Here are the details:

• Barangay Captain Alvin Mendoza of Alasas, San Fernando, was shot dead 16 times by a still unidentified gunman as the victim was leaving his home (April 30, 2022).
• Barangay Captain Jesus Liang of Sto. Rosario, San Fernando was shot dead by a still unidentified gunman while he was walking near the newly renovated public market (December 28, 2022).
• Former Board Member and Pampanga Liga ng mga Barangay President Gerome Tubig was shot dead in front of the VL Makabali Memorial Hospital in San Fernando (On April 17, 2023)
• Barangay Captain Matt Ryan de la Cruz and his driver, Henry Aquino, were shot dead by still unidentified gunmen at a gasoline station in Barangay Del Pilar, San Fernando (June 11, 2024).
• Barangay Captain Norberto Lumbang of Laquios, Arayat was gunned down by still at-large suspects who used rifles, while inside the barangay hall (August 11, 2024).
• Councilor Federico Hipoloto of Arayat, Pampanga was shot by motorcycle-riding assailants in Barangay Telapayong. Hipolito was declared dead on arrival (November 12, 2024).

Gonzales said he would file a resolution to formalize the call to investigate these killings.

“As usual, the police have yet to determine the motive for the attack,” Gonzales said. “Justice may have many faces. But in the end, I believe it’s primarily about accountability.”

Gonzales also urged members of the House to join quad committee hearings.

The four panels are investigating the possible correlation between illegal activities in Philippine offshore gaming operation (Pogo) hubs, the illicit drug trade, and alleged extrajudicial killings in the past administration’s drug war.

The panels include the committee on dangerous drugs, committee on public order and safety, committee on public accounts, and the committee on human rights.

According to Gonzales, all of these issues involve Pampanga.

“We are in the process of hearing (these issues in the) quad comm,” he said.

“I am the one who stood up last August 5 this year when we consolidated, when I consolidated the four committees […] which tackled businesses of different countries that made its way to Pampanga, especially in the city of San Fernando, and the town of Mexico — that is the root for one of the committees in the quad comm,” he recalled.

“That’s why we formed this quad committee […] I’m urging all of the members of this Congress, the 19th Congress, I’m urging you to attend […] We are framing up the future of this country,” he pointed out.

The province of Pampanga is closely tied to the quad committee.

The calls for a joint probe on the above-mentioned issues stemmed from the investigation made by the committee on dangerous drugs, headed by Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, on the controlled delivery operation conducted by anti-narcotics agents in Mexico, Pampanga, last September 2023.

During that controlled delivery operation, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) tracked the illegal substance from the Port of Subic to a warehouse in Mexico town.

The committee found out that the warehouse was owned by Empire 999 Realty Corporation, which was controlled by some Chinese, including a certain Willie Ong, who is accused of acquiring land by using a fake Filipino identity.

READ: P3.6-B worth of shabu seized in Pampanga warehouse 

Investigations eventually led to former Presidential Economic Adviser Michael Yang, as his interpreter Lincoln Ong was said to be part of Empire 999.

Aside from this, Pogos were also discovered in Porac, Pampanga, which prompted the quad committee to start its first hearing in an out-of-town session in Bacolor, Pampanga.

READ: No politics behind probe: Barbers says quad-comm only wants truth