Tacurong City mayor dies from COVID-19

KORONADAL CITY –– Mayor Angelo Montilla of nearby Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat province died Sunday evening due to COVID-19, the local government confirmed Monday.

He was 62.

The Tacurong City government said in a statement that Montilla, fondly called Roncal by his constituents, earlier tested positive for COVID-19 and was brought to an undisclosed hospital in General Santos City where he expired at 9:46 p.m.

“In the face of danger brought about by the pandemic, and despite the high risk it brings to his health condition, Mayor Roncal continued to physically report to work and be on the frontline in our fight against this crisis, a testament to his leadership and passion to serve,” the statement said.

“He will be remembered as a tireless leader who sacrificed his life in the name of public service. He is a true son of Tacurong. His legacy will live on,” it added.

Montilla was first elected as mayor of the then municipality of Tacurong in 1988 and served until 1995.

He was also elected as representative of the then lone district of Sultan Kudarat, serving for three terms from 1995 to 2004.

Montilla kept away from politics after he was accused of a double murder involving the death of two local government employees in 2003. The Court of Appeals dismissed the case.

Allan Freno, Tacurong City Hall spokesperson, described Montilla as a dedicated public servant.

“He would arrive as early as 7 a.m. in the office ahead of many employees and would be the last to go home,” Freno said.

The mayor would also lavishly praise employees or units if they had performed well, he added.

He came back to public life and won the mayoral race in 2019. Facing the threats of COVID-19, Montilla managed to implement vital projects, such as the establishment of a people’s dialysis center, solar streetlights, and the redevelopment of the city’s public market, among others.

LZB