Aquino visits slain mayor’s wake, checks crime scene

URBIZTONDO, Pangasinan—President Benigno Aquino on Friday condoled with the family of assassinated Urbiztondo Mayor Ernesto Balolong Jr., a member of the administration’s Liberal Party.

Balolong was shot dead by two gunmen on the eve of his 25th wedding anniversary on June 7.

The President was driven to the Balolong family wake in Barangay Poblacion at 1:45 p.m., 20 minutes after he landed at a university in San Carlos City in a helicopter.

Mr. Aquino later met with Balolong’s widow, Mirla, who was accompanied by her son, Councilor Voltaire Balolong, and his wife, Angela, and her daughter, Zarena. They proceeded to the family home for a brief meeting. Presidential security guards barred reporters from covering the meeting.

Mr. Aquino also inspected the area where Balolong was killed. He left after 30 minutes.

Balolong and his police security escort, PO1 Eliseo Ulanday, were attacked and killed by two gunmen at the Urbiztondo convention center, which was being prepared for the mayor’s June 8 silver wedding anniversary party as well as the wedding of his son Voltaire.

Edmund Meneses, a supermarket electrician, was also killed by the hail of bullets, police said. Four other people were hurt in the attack.

Two suspects were arrested on Saturday in Pangasinan province.

The town’s new mayor, Martin Raul Sison, was not around when Mr. Aquino visited the wake.

A tarpaulin was raised outside the Balolong house, featuring the public announcement on the June 8 wedding anniversary and Voltaire’s wedding. It also bore the phrase, “We cry for justice,” printed in bold red letters.

Below the tarpaulin, the family posted photographs of the fallen Balolong sprawled on the pavement and those of his bullet wounds.

A relative said Balolong was close to the Aquino family. The late mayor used to be the finance officer of a company where Mr. Aquino also served as vice president, the relative said.

Malacañang had interceded when Balolong faced a succession of suspension orders from the Pangasinan provincial board after an administrative complaint was filed by a former town treasurer.

Until his death, Balolong was dealing with four administrative complaints.