5 Pangasinan bets get death threats

BUGALLON, Pangasinan — A vice mayoral candidate here and four councilor aspirants in his ticket have received death threats, prompting Gov. Victor Agbayani to ask the police to look into the matter.

Agbayani said he might even be compelled to ask the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to place Bugallon under its control because of intense political rivalry.

Last Nov. 28, Vice Mayor Ernesto Mata, who is running for mayor under the banner of Lakas-CMD (Christian-Muslim Democrats), was shot in the left arm during an ambush.

Now, the subjects of threatening letters mailed from the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City last Jan. 9 and delivered here on Jan. 19, are Marlon Cuison, Mata’s running mate; and councilor bets Cesar Dadacay Jr., re-electionist Jerome Ba—raquio, and barangay councilmen Joseph Estrada and Albert Saringan.

Dadacay’s father Cesar Sr. was the one who received the death threat apparently intended for his son.

The letter stated: "Huwag ka ng lalapit kay Vice Ernie at tatapusin na namin bago mag-election. Gagamit kami ng malalakas na M-16, grenade launcher. Kailangan matapos na, hindi pa kami binayaran, partial lang (Don’t approach Vice Mayor Ernie and we will end this before the elections. We will use strong M-16s and grenade launcher. This has to be finished, we have been paid only partially)."

Mata and the five candidates reported the death threats to the police yesterday.

Mata said they have to be extra cautious now. "What do they still want from me?" he said, addressing the people behind the death threats. "This is just politics."

Mata bewailed the fact that his ambush has remained unsolved. His uncle, Samuel Ag—buya, died in the attack.