Kapitan survives 15 assassination attempts
ASINGAN–The president of the Liga ng mga Barangay here seems to have more than the nine lives of a cat.
James Salvador Sapigao, 35, barangay chairman of Carusucan Sur, survived on Tuesday last week the 15th attempt on his life by still unidentified gunmen.
Sapigao came out unscathed but his two farm helpers were wounded and rushed to the Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan City.
Those injured are Lord Laureta who was hit in the back and Dominador Antolin who sustained one gunshot wound in his right hand.
The three were plowing a rice field with the use of a tractor in the morning of August 10 when the gunman opened fire, first with a rifle grenade possibly mounted on an M-16 rifle, followed by a burst of automatic gun fire.
Sapigao told the police that after hearing the explosion from his back, he hit the ground and stayed down until the gunfire stopped. Then he reached for his pistol from the compartment of his tractor and returned fire.
Realizing that Sapigao had a gun, the gunman retreated.
Following the many attempts on his life and thinking that his enemies will not stop until they kill him, Sapigao said he always carries a licensed pistol wherever he goes for protection.
Sapigao said he has been receiving death threats from unknown persons through text messages.
He concedes that as a barangay kapitan, he may have created many enemies but is unsure who could be behind the repeated failed assassination attempts.
At the police headquarters, Sapigao said he was able to recognize the gunman who opened fire at him but he refused to elaborate on his identity.
RUSH OF VIOLENCE
Meanwhile, Board Member Ranjit Ramos Shahani, a relative of Sapigao, called on the police to investigate the matter and provide security for the barangay chairman.
Shahani noted that there is an apparent rush of violent incidents not only in his hometown Asingan but also in adjacent Tayug, which the police he said must address urgently.
At least 10 people have been reported to have been shot and either wounded or killed in Tayug since after the May 10 election.
The series of violent incidents, which has left the people in the town cowering in fear, has prompted ministers from different religious groups to call for “prayer power” alongside the submission of a manifesto calling on government and police authorities to resolve the peace problem. –LM
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