My troubled Hizzoner

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

I WAS in Manila having a meeting with the Padyak Pinoy organizers when my cellphone buzzed. The call came from my balae (father-in-law of my first daughter Ruth) informing me that the grandson of Mangaldan hizzoner Herminio A. Romero was believed to have been kidnapped, according to his reliable source, and was the talk of the town that day, March 11.

I was stunned knowing that my town of birth is a peaceful place and never knew of any kidnapping incident in the town since I was born. It was really shocking to learn that a kidnap-for-ransom group existed in my beautiful town.

Coming home the day after, I was also informed by my colleagues in the media circle that there was a request for a news black-out from the victim’s family so as not to jeopardize the manhunt for the kidnappers. And it paid off.

TRAUMA AND RELIEF—Mangaldan Mayor Herminio Romero expresses both trauma and relief during an interview at a press conference held at PNP Mangaldan office after the release of his kidnapped grandson.

The details of the incident are already in the PUNCH news so I don’t have to restate them here. Suffice it to say that during the presscon called after the successful rescue and arrests of the suspects, I saw in the face of Alcalde Romero the immense trauma he suffered during the troubled days. Although smiling with the media people during the ambush interview, I surmised that the sports-minded Romero’s strain will stay until all the other suspects are arrested. I know it would take time but eventually it will all blow away. Time heals all wounds as the saying goes. The most important thing here is the recovery of the innocent victim.

The troubled mayor happy expressed his thanks to God, the PNP operatives, and his constituents for their unselfish support to recover the child alive.

The mayor is one of the most sports-minded hizzoner not only in Pangasinan but in the entire archipelago. He has proven this in numerous occasions since he became the town’s chief executive in 2004, supporting events in basketball, volleyball, cycling, badminton, taekwondo, pedicab races and table tennis.

I was informed by some of my townmates and was confirmed by policemen that these people who did this horrendous misdeed are drug-users.

No wonder they had the guts to do the crime.

Yes, “there’s always a first time” but hopefully there will be no second time, not in my town, please.

* * * * *

I was not able to attend the two games of our Dagupan City PRISAA Region 1 basketball team at the Panagbenga Cup last March 14 and 15 held in Baguio City because of my commitment to Padyak Pinoy. But PRISAA Region 1 treasurer Seato Gonimil told me our contingent won their game on March 14 against the commercial squad Evergold, 91-88, but was unlucky the following day. It succumbed to defending champion BENECO (Benguet Electric Company), 92-87, at the start of the second round.

Despite the first loss in their five games, the boys of Dagupan City alderman Chito Samson and mentor Jack Vidal are still in contention for the title.

The Dagupeños defeated BENECO in the first round, 95-90, held on February 7.

Congrats again to you, guys. Carry on the good plays, always.

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