Binay, Honasan surprise widow of partymate’s bodyguard in Bohol

Vice President Jejomar Binay and Senator Gringo Honasan arrive at the Commission on Elections to file their certificates of candidacy for president and vice president. MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB/INQUIRER.net

DANAO, Bohol – Visiting a wake on Saturday, Vice President Jejomar Binay surprised the widow of the close-in security of United Nationalist Alliance (UNA)’s vice chairman in Central Visayas.

Binay was with his running-mate Senator Gringo Honasan and some local leaders when he went to the wake of Jacinto “Jojo” Capatoy Galvez Jr., a close-in security of Danao Vice Mayor Thomas Gonzaga who was killed on Jan. 18.

Other Bohol leaders, who visited the wake in his house in Barangay (village) Magtangtang here, were Buenavista Mayor Ronald Lowell Tirol, Getafe Mayor Casey Camacho, Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado and former Bohol Vice Governor Julius Herrera.

Binay was received by Galvez’ wife, Anna Mitzi, who was surprised to see the Vice President.

“Hindi ko talaga ma-express..alam kong masayang-masaya siya ngayon dahil maka-Binay siya (I could not express it… I am sure he is happy of the Vice President’s visit because he was really pro-Binay),” she said.

She said the visit somehow eased the pain she felt of losing her husband of 14 years.

“Siyempre ako, kapag nawalan ka nasasaktan ka talaga after the visit medyo na-relieved ako. Malaking tulong yung pagbisita nila dahil naibsan ang lungkot sa akin. Tapos hindi basta-bastang tao bumisita dito (It is painful to lose someone but after the visit I felt relieved..and the visit is not ordinary because they are not ordinary people),” she said.

She said that Binay told her to “remain calm and pray.”

Binay also promised her that he would help seek justice for her husband.

According to Inspector Robert Lucernas, chief of Danao police, an investigation was still ongoing to determine the motive and the identities of the persons behind the killing of Galvez.

Galvez was ambushed in front of their residence at Barangay (village) Magtangtang of this town by three unidentified assailants.

According to Galvez’ wife, he was about to buy eggs for breakfast when she heard bursts of gunfire. Galvez was able to run but was shot by the perpetrators.

Then, the three men ran towards the grassy area. The victim was rushed to the Catigbian District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

The 49 years-old victim was a native of Cavite but moved to Sitio Kang-aga, Barangay Magtangtang here. He suffered gunshot wounds in different parts of his body from caliber .45 pistol and a submachine gun.

Recovered from the crime scene were empty shells of .45-calibre pistol and 9mm but the police believed that a submachine gun was used because as they were able to recover some empty shells of a submachine gun in the crime scene.

Lucernas said they could not conclude that the killing was not election related although it was one of the angles being looked into since he was the bodyguard of a vice mayor and was involved in the campaign. TVJ

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