PNP urged to increase presence in Pampanga amid threats to officials

INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — House Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. has appealed to the Philippine National Police (PNP) to increase police presence in Pampanga, particularly in his district, after a barangay official from San Fernando City received death threats.

Gonzales on Saturday reported to PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil the death threat to Barangay San Agustin Captain Amando Santos.

While he thanked the PNP for immediately taking action, Gonzales said increased police visibility and patrols in his district and other parts of Pampanga would deter violence, especially with the fast-approaching midterm elections.

“We wish our communities to be peaceful and violence-free. We don’t want any further harm on any of our local officials and constituents,” said Gonzales, who represents the third district of Pampanga.

“We have already lost six of them, including three barangay captains in San Fernando City, to assassins,” he added.

According to Gonzales, Marbil informed him that PNP Pampanga Provincial Office director Col. Jay Dimaandal already interviewed Santos about the death threat, which was contained on a piece of paper sealed in an envelope.

A mobile phone number was also written on the paper.

According to Marbil, Santos “attempted to contact and engage the provided cellphone number, but to no avail as it was offline.”

“As a result, the incident was recorded in the blotter of both the barangay and the police station of San Fernando City, Pampanga. Furthermore, tracking of the location and possible identification of the owner of the cellphone number is ongoing,” Marbil said.

Last November 20, Gonzales asked his fellow lawmakers to help him investigate the recent spate of violence in Pampanga, as senseless killings happened in his home province from April 30, 2022 to November 12, 2024.

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

• 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)

READ: Gonzales seeks probe into spate of killings, violence hounding Pampanga

Gonzales said despite the investigation launched by the House committee on public order and safety,  lawless elements continue to threaten Pampanga with violence.

“Maybe, this is because these senseless killings, which happened between April 30, 2022 and November 12 last year, have remained unsolved and the suspects are still at large. We in the House will continue to look into these cases,” he added.