BM: No politically-related violence in Mabalacat City

MABALACAT CITY —First District Board Member Crisostomo Garbo said that this newly-converted component city has no history of politically-related violence.

At the same time, Garbo defended his former runningmate Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales, who is being accused as the one responsible in the killing of a 29year old woman recently. Garbo will face Morales in the mayoralty race in 2016.

“Eku manwalang agawa ng Pareng Boking (Morales) ita. Ala naman keng character na ita. (I don’t believe that Morales will do that. That is not in his character),” Garbo said.

MarianLucasGantan,29,ofBarangayCacutud, this city, was shot dead along the busy national road in Barangay Mabiga here last Sunday.

Pira Lucas, Gantan’s mother, earlier told the local media that Morales is responsible for the killing.

Morales however denied the accusations saying his conscience is clear and that God is his witness.

Garbourgedthelocalpolice toconductathorough investigation to get the real culprit in the killing.

SuperintendentHenry Flores, citypolice chief, said they are now consolidating the statements of witnesses in the killing.

According to him, a witness told investigators that Gantan was shot by a lone gunman who was riding a motorcycle. The suspect reportedly sped off towards the north direction after the incident.

Gantan succumbed to three gunshot wounds on different parts of her body.