End to La Union killngs sought
RESIDENTS of La Union have called on Governor Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” Ortega III to protect their communities from violent crimes, following the discovery of an alleged assassination squad composed allegedly of former police and military personnel last month.
“Kaming mga residente ng La Union ay humihingi ng proteksyon mula sa aming gobernador dahil sa pagkakaroon ng pagpaslang sa lalawigan na di umano ay gawain ng assasination squad,” the Crusaders for Peace said in a statement.
The group issued the statement after several suspects were arrested on June 23, 2021 following the killing of a farm caretaker in Barangay Ballogo, Bacnotan, La Union on June 22, 2021.
Police confiscated from the suspects’ vehicle several high-powered firearms, ammunition, bullet vests, two-way radios, cellphones, back packs and other items. Police also discovered that the group had several safe houses in La Union.
In a statement, the Crusaders for Peace said they were afraid that the violence in the run-up to the 2019 elections would be repeated as the next national and local elections approach.
“Ito ay panawagan mula sa mga natatakot sa himagsik na mamamayan, at mga pangkat ng relihiyon at mga negosyante,” the group said.
The Crusaders for Peace asked Ortega to ensure that peace will prevail by going after the remaining members of the assassination squad.
“Karahasan ay dapat tuldukan. Stop the killings now!” the Crusaders for Peace said.
Cristito Morate, a farm caretaker in Barangay Ballogo, Bacnotan, La Union was killed on June 22, 2021.
The 49-year-old victim was shot dead allegedly over a right-of-way dispute with a supposed member of the group. La Union police said the suspects reportedly shot the victim in the head and fled to San Juan town.
In a report Police Major Gerardo Macaraeg Jr., chief of the San Juan Police Station, said several suspects were eventually arrested while trying to flee aboard a pickup truck. The group was renting four rooms in Vilas Buenavista Hotel and Restaurant in Barangay Ili Sur, San Juan
On June 30, PNP Chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar met with officials of the province to assess the peace and order situation and coordinate measures on how to protect the peopl.
A series of high-profile political killings occurred in the province in 2018. These included the unsolved killings of Balaoan Vice Mayor Alfred Concepcion on Nov. 14; Sudipen Mayor Alexander Buquing on Oct. 1; and former Second District Rep. Franny Eriguel on May 12.
