Tiñga urges supporters to be more vigilant

MANILA, Philippines - Citing violent incidents in the city as election day draws near, Taguig Mayor Sigfrido Tiñga advised his supporters to take necessary precautions and to immediately report to the Taguig Hotline 1623 anyone acting suspiciously in their community. 

“As election day gets nearer, our supporters continue to grow in number and we continue to pull away in local surveys. These realities have made our rivals so desperate that they have started to resort to violence to sow fear among our people. This is a clear picture of just what kind of politicians we are up against here in Taguig,” Tiñga said.

The mayor also called on their political opponents not to resort to violence, as he condemned recent shooting incidents which he believes is aimed to intimidate his local leaders and supporters. The incidents resulted in the killing of a civilian volunteer and wounding three others in Barangays Central Signal Village and Upper Bicutan.

On Thursday, at about 10:15 p.m., one of three motorcycle-riding men opened fire at the Cluster 6 Ronda Brigade outpost at the corner of Caimito and Ballecer Streets, Zone 2 in Barangay Central Signal Village killing Reynaldo Baño, 35, a resident of No. 219 Domingo Street, of the said barangay. The shooting wounded another civilian volunteer Jovito Reyes and vendor Roel Otazo.

A witness told investigators that the victims, together with other members of the Barangay Ronda Brigade Pedro Arquines, Godfrey Ramirat and Rosalito Estraño were manning the outpost when a motorcycle-riding man, believed to be a lookout stopped at the corner of MRT Avenue and Caimito Street. Two other men, also on board a motorcycle stopped about 20 meters away from the outpost. The gunman alighted, walked towards the victims then opened fire.