VM bet accused of indiscriminate firing, threatening ex-councilman

APALIT - A vice-mayoralty candidate and incumbent village chairman here is now the subject of a complaint after allegedly pointing a gun at the face of an exvillage councilman and firing it in public yesterday morning.

Former barangay Sucad Kagawad Bernardo Valencia alleged that aspiring vice-mayor Nelson Manuel threatened him and pointed a gun to his face if he will not stop meddling in local politics.

Valencia is an identified political coordinator of the camp of incumbent Mayor Peter Nucom who is running against Manuel for the vice-mayoralty post here in the coming May 2019 polls.

Valencia narrated that Nucom, together with comebacking Mayor Oscar Tetangco, Jr. had just concluded their meeting with their leaders in Barangay Sucad and left when Manuel barged in and drew his gun.

“He immediately came at me and slapped his gun on my left cheek. He cussed at me and told me that I should not meddle in politics anymore. He then pointed his gun at me and told me to run away, but I did not. He then fired in the air and went away,” Valencia shared.

He added that Manuel, along with three incumbent Barangay Sucad councilmen, left using a white pick-up truck.

Valencia said he already reported the incident to the local police and is set to file a complaint of grave threat and indiscriminate firing against Manuel before the proper court.

This town’s police chief Superintendent Roland Agohob, who personally responded to the scene, said that they are already investigating the incident and all involved to shed light on Valencia’s complaint.

Agohob said he was not able to meet Manuel personally for questioning, but was able to talk to him about the incident over the phone. “He denied his involvement in the incident. In fact, he said he was in Barangay Calantipe and not in Barangay Sucad when the incident happened but we will still validate this information and get the statements of the complainant and the witnesses,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nucom denounced the alleged actions of Manuel which he described as unbecoming and unwarranted behavior of a public official.

He called on Manuel and other candidates in the coming elections to avoid any violent actions and activities, but rather participate in the peaceful conduct of elections for the benefit of Apaliteños.

“That is not how a public official must act. We must always take into consideration that we are elected officials before we make actions, especially those seeking a higher level of public office,” Nucom said.

Sun.Star Pampanga tried to reach Manuel for comments but was unable to at press time.