COLD CASES
VICTIMS of unsolved Pampanga killings and their families were assured justice by leaders of the House of Representatives.
Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. and Rep. Dan Fernandez of Santa Rosa City in Laguna made the promise at the start of the inquiry into the assassination of at least six local officials in Pampanga’s third district, which Gonzales represents.
Fernandez chairs the Committee on Public Order and Safety which is conducting the inquiry prompted by a privilege speech delivered by Gonzales, who also filed Resolution No. 2086 calling for the investigation.
Regional, provincial and local police forces have failed to solve the killings for two years and seven months now. Police officers told the committee all suspects remain at large.
Addressing his colleagues and his constituents at the start of the inquiry, Gonzales said he wanted to make “an urgent call to action to our law enforcement agencies,” and to help the victims’ families seek justice.
“Gayundin, ito ay para matulungan ang pamilya ng mga biktima, na hanggang ngayon ay patuloy pa rin sa paghahanap ng hustisya,” he said.
“Katulad po ng sinabi ko sa aking privilege speech, gagawin ko po ang lahat, sa abot ng aking makakaya, na makuha ang katarungan sa pagpaslang sa inyong mga mahal sa buhay. Hindi po tayo titigil hanggat hindi napapanagot sa batas ang mga may sala,” he said.
Like his colleagues, Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., who chairs the Committee on Human Rights, expressed solidarity with the victims’ families in their quest for justice.
Gonzales said the earliest of the series of killings took place on April 30, 2022, while the latest happened last Nov. 12.
He identified the victims as Barangay Captains Alvin Mendoza of Alasas, Jesus Liang Liang of Sto. Rosario, and Matt Ryan dela Cruz of Del Pilar Cutud and his driver Henry Aquino, all of the capital San Fernando City; and Barangay Captain Norberto Lumbao of Laguios, Arayat, and Arayat Councilor Federico Hipolito.
Answering for his local police underlings, newly-installed Central Luzon police commander Brig. Gen. Federico Maranan said: “We are still in the process of hunting down the suspects, sir, and we are doing our best to give justice (to the victims and their families).
