TENSION ESCALATES IN SAN MANUEL

But Mayor Perez denies involvement

SAN MANUEL–I will face the music.

This was the reaction of town Mayor Salvador Perez amidst growing accusations that he is behind the killing on Wednesday of his political rival, Vice Mayor Bonie Apilado.

Perez told newsmen Thursday he is saddened by the murder of Apilado and does not know what could be the motive behind the crime.

Apilado, 35, sustained multiple gunshot wounds when three men, armed with .45 calibers shot him when he alighted from his jeep along Barangay San Vicente, Urdaneta City past noon Wednesday. He died at the Sacred Heart Hospital while his bodyguard-driver, Ricardo Clemente, was hit on the shoulder but survived.

Apilado ran as mayor in the May 14 elections but lost. He was twice elected councilor and twice as vice mayor.

Apilado’s family has accused the mayor of the murder, saying politics is the only possible reason behind it.

Mrs. Cherry Apilado, 27, wife of the slain vice mayor confirmed that her husband thought the threat on his life already disappeared when he lost the election to reelectionist Mayor Perez.

She said her husband already accepted his defeat which led him to believe that there was no longer any threat to his life.

She and her mother-in-law, Aurora, 59, told newsmen during the wake of her husband at their home in Gueset Sur, San Manuel that Bonie received so many death threats before, during and after the election.

Mrs. Apilado said that despite the threats on Bonie’s life, he did not ask for a security detail from the police.

While the vice mayor’s mother said their family did not pay attention to the loose talks that hired killers were after her son, his younger brother George, 27, said the vice mayor had received so many threats through his cell phone.

All the threats, he said, were saved in the inbox folder of his brother’s mobile phone.

George said a follower of the vice mayor was killed before the election and another, identified as Mario Aban, was also killed just after the election.

Bernard, another brother, said he was mauled by the followers of Mayor Perez while lining to vote at the Lapalo Elementary School on May14.

In response to the family’s suspicion, Perez said he welcomes any probe adding “If they have valid witnesses, then they could sue me in court”.  He appealed that he be spared trial by publicity.

He said he could not entirely reproach Apilado’s family for pointing an accusing finger at him, but said, “In your opinion what will be my purpose (in killing him)?”

Perez, who won by a margin of almost 5,000votes over Apilado, said the slain vice mayor was not a threat to him.

Meanwhile, the chief of police here was relieved on Thursday as an aftermath of the slaying of Apilado.

Police Provincial Director Senior Superintendent Isagani Nerez Sr. ordered the relief of Inspector Realito Rodriguez and assigned Sr. Inspector Michael Grona to take over as officer-in-charge of the San Manuel police.

Rodriguez   was reportedly ready to go on leave to prevent suspicion   that the local police force is siding with the mayor.

Earlier, Nerez immediately fielded 20 policemen from the Regional Mobile Group and Provincial Mobile Group to augment the police force to maintain peace and order and to defuse tension here.

Apilado’s remains lie at their family residence in Barangay Gueset Sur here and will be buried on June 29.–EVA/LM

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