‘Vice mayor sensed threats to his life’

“INOTICED that days before his death, he was searching for bulletproof vests and a gun. I told the police that this could be an indication he felt that there were threats [to his life],” Gemma Lubigan, widow of Trece Martires, Cavite Vice Mayor Alex Lubigan, said on Friday. Gemma added she has no idea if her husband received death threats before he was killed last July, as he was secretive and did not discuss sensitive topics with his family.

But, she said, when she heard news that her husband had been shot dead, she had a hunch who was behind it.

“When I heard the gunshot and I saw him, the first thing I thought is its either Mayor Melendres de Sagun or his son [ former Mayor Jun de Sagun],” Gemma added.

The Philippine National Police ( PNP) on Thursday filed charges of murder and frustrated murder against de Sagun, Ariel Paiton, Luis Abad, Maragondon Councilor Umbre Arcad and a John Doe before the Department of Justice in Manila.

De Sagun is in the United States and the other suspects are at large.

Gemma said she had mixed emotions on recent developments in her husband’s murder case.

“First, I feel angry because people are willing to kill in order to stay in their position. I also feel sad because even if we get justice, we cannot get back the lives of my husband and [ his driver] Romulo Guillemer. It hurts that my husband has to be sacrificed in order for the public to discover their abhorrent ways,” she said, apparently referring to the de Saguns.

“I am also happy because the filing of charges against them is a step forward in attaining justice for Manong Muong [Guillemer] and Vice Mayor Alex Lubigan,” Gemma added.

Lubigan died instantly on July 7 after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds while Guillemer died while receiving medical treatment in a hospital.