Parayno cousins now both under threat
INC ENDORSES MAYOR, VM, 7 COUNCILORS
URDANETA City Mayor Julio Parayno III said reelectionist Vice Mayor Jimmy Parayno, his cousin, has likewise started to campaign from home through online platforms as they are now both facing threats to their lives with several groups of hired killers reportedly contracted to go after them.
In an interview at his residence on May 6, the mayor said he joined four Miting de Avance gatherings since May 1 via Zoom. Supporters have also been visiting his place.
According to him, there are four groups of hired killers who are out to eliminate him and the vice mayor before the election, one from Abra, another from Isabela, a group of recidivists from Urdaneta, and another group whose origin he has yet to ascertain.
He said the slaying of the chief tanod of Barangay Pinmaludpod inside the barangay hall last May 2 was likely a case of mistaken identity as the still unidentified killers reportedly riding a SUV could have been after Kagawad Romulo Alibarvar, known to be their supporter.
It was that incident that prompted Vice Mayor Parayno to also stop physically attending campaign events. A son of Mayor Parayno, Onofre Julio, has also pulled back from representing him in campaigns.
“We are not taking any chances as our enemies might be watching our every step,” Parayno said, noting that in this election, his real opponent is not mayoralty candidate Maan Guico but her husband, reelectionist Governor Ramon Guico III and his father, Rep. Ramon Guico Jr. of the Fifth District.
Meanwhile, the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), a religious group that votes as a block, has endorsed the Paraynos and seven of their 10 candidates for councilors.
“It is a big boost to our candidacies, which is now making our opponents work overtime in order to catch up,” said Parayno.
Parayno reiterated confidence that Urdanetans will vote one of their own rather than, the governor’s wife, who is originally from Pampanga and actually resides in Binalonan, her husband’s hometown. (Leonardo Micua)
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