A city councilor nearly got shot at when he tried to intervene and pacify security men of the Philippine National Railways who figured in an argument with some residents at the PNR site.

Councilor Danilo Torio, who lives near the PNR site, was called to intercede for the residents whose houses were being barricaded owing to the expiration of their lease contracts with PNR.

Torio’s appearance, however, angered one Jose Risngit, the head of the PNR security in Dagupan. To show his displeasure, he reportedly referred to Torio as “gunggong na konsehal” in front of the residents.

And even as he continued to bad-mouth councilor Torio, Risngit reportedly tried to reach for his gun tucked under his waist to threaten to shoot the councilor but subsequently changed his mind and decided not to pull out the gun.

Torio said that he tried to pacify both parties in his capacity as a concerned city official, but did not expect the disrespect from the PNR guards.  He clarified that he only asked the PNR men to observe due process but this allegedly angered Risngit.     

 Torio is now planning to file a case of oral defamation and a separate case for illegal possession of firearms against Risngit and company.

The councilor is also seeking an investigation to determine out if Risngit and his group were really given orders by PNR management to evict squatters from the PNR property and to barricade houses of individuals if they refuse to move out. – A.P.E.

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