Tiñga scores shooting of 2 supporters

MANILA, Philippines - Taguig Mayor Sigfrido Tiñga condemned yesterday attacks on two of his supporters and called on his rivals to refrain from using violence.

“Our rivals are getting exceedingly desperate because we continue to pull away in the local surveys. It is unfortunate that they have resorted to using violence to sow fear among our people. This only shows what kind of politicians we are up against here in Taguig,” he said.

Tiñga, who is on his third term as mayor, is running to represent Taguig’s second district. His rival is Jett Reyes, son of former energy secretary Angelo Reyes.

At around 12:25 a.m. Sunday, Emerito Baylon, a member of Barangay Tanyag Proper’s security force, suffered a gunshot wound in his left arm when two men on a motorcycle shot at him in front of the barangay hall. The attackers also shot at several eyewitnesses before fleeing.

Officials of Barangay Tanyag Proper are well-known supporters of the Tiñga administration.

Last Friday, two men shot at the house of Ignacio Cabatic, president of a tricycle drivers association in the city and an ally of the Tiñgas. Just hours before, Cabatic had called the attention of some association members who had displayed Reyes campaign materials on their tricycles and reiterated his call for the members to support Tiñga.