By Billy Begas
House Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. called on Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil to deploy additional policemen in his province in the wake of rising threats and violence.
Gonzales made the appeal after informing Marbil about the death threat received by San Agustin Barangay Captain Amando Santos of San Fernando City, which is part of his district.
“We wish our communities to be peaceful and violence-free. We don’t want any further harm to any of our local officials and constituents. We have already lost six of them, including three barangay captains in San Fernando City, to assassins,” Gonzales said.
Last Friday, Marbil informed Gonzales that Pampanga Police Provincial Director Col. Jay Dimaandal personally interviewed Santos about the death threat the latter received on a piece of paper sealed in an envelope together with the barangay officer’s crossed-out picture. A mobile phone number was also written on the paper.
Marbil said Santos attempted to contact and engage the provided cellphone number, but it was offline.
Aside from tracking the owner of the cellphone number, Marbil told Gonzales that the local police are also reviewing CCTV footage near the house of Santos.
The PNP chief also directed the San Fernando City police station to intensify one-on-one security for officials in their jurisdiction to preempt any untoward incidents.
Gonzales urged the PNP to intensify police visibility and patrols in the province and augment local police forces to avert possible violence, whether related to the forthcoming May 2025 elections or not.
The solon noted that lawless elements continue to make threats of violence despite the high-profile investigation launched recently by the House Committee on Public Order and Safety on six unsolved killings in his district.
“Maybe, this is because these senseless killings, which happened between April 30, 2022 and Nov. 12 last year, have remained unsolved and the suspects are still at large. We in the House will continue to look into these cases,” he said.
Gonzales vowed to leave no stone unturned in seeking justice for the victims and their families.
The post Gonzales asks for more cops in Pampanga amid rising violence first appeared on Politiko Central Luzon.