THE tense situation in Sual, one of the areas of concern by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the police in this year’s elections, escalated when a barangay chairman and supporter of incumbent Mayor Liseldo Calugay was threatened with a hand gun and slapped twice by still unidentified assailants.

Bernardo Saraos Molina, the 59-year old captain of Barangay Victoria reported to the police that he was waylaid and threatened by an armed group in a pick-up truck Thursday morning, May 8, in Sitio Centro.

Molina was on board a tricycle driven by Ernesto Soriano, 22, also a resident of the area. As they traveled along the barangay road, the truck blocked their path, forcing the tricycle to halt.

One of the armed men, estimated to be between 55 to 60 years old, immediately alighted from the truck then threatened Molina, warning him not to interfere in local politics.

The assailant also struck the tricycle driver before the group fled the scene.

The two victims said they believe the incident had something to do with the intense political rivalry between the reelectionist mayor and his challenger, Arthur Celeste Jr., son and namesake of Pangasinan First  District Rep. Arthur Celeste.

Authorities are currently conducting a thorough investigation into the incident and a security review was undertaken.

The other declared areas of concern in Pangasinan are Aguilar, Binmaley, Malasiqui, San Quintin, Mangaldan, Dagupan City and Urdaneta City. (Leonardo Micua/Ahikam Pasion)

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