Slain mayor was ‘fearless’

ZAMBOANGA CITY—Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur’s slain Mayor did not mind if his enemies were out to kill him, a town councilor said.

“He was the only mayor we knew as straight and very humble,” town councilor Eddie Relacion told the Inquirer by phone.

Even if they knew the threats on Talumpa were real, the mayor’s death still came as a shock to most residents of Labangan town,  Relacion said.

Our hearts are bleeding over his death,” he added.

Relacion said Talumpa always wore a smile and would easily laugh at the simplest joke. “But he would not mind telling people they were thieves or drug addicts,” he said.

Relacion said the threats against Talumpa increased when he led the dismantling of suspected drug havens in Labangan.

Even suspected drug lords packed up and went to other areas, he said. “A known warlord left Labangan because of his campaign.” Relacion added. Julie Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao