N. Vizcaya town mayor denies goons, kickbacks

BAYOMBONG, Philippines - The mayor of Quezon town in this province denied the accusation made by the town priest that he is maintaining armed goons and accepting kickbacks from illegal loggers. In an interview with GMANews.TV, Mayor Aurelio Salunat said his security escorts are policemen assigned to him upon his request after the recent attempt on his life. He also disclosed without elaborating that some of his grand (god) children are “looking onto his safety.” The mayor denied that his escorts are sowing fear among the town people. “The accusations are somewhat irresponsible since we are the supposed victims here, we need to protect ourselves because we are the ones being shot at,” Salunat said. Earlier, Fr. Emil Ibera reported that several armed men are seen within the town proper brandishing firearms. These men according to him are known civilian employees at the municipal hall and are not supposed to carry guns. Salunat said there is no truth to the allegations. “The people in my town are happy with what’s happening there. Fr. Ibera is creating divisiveness among our town’s people,” he said. On the night of June 30, Salunat and several other visitors were fired upon by unknown assailants while playing card games at his residence in Baresbes village. Two people, including his brother, were hurt. Salunat said the assassination attempt may have something to do with his expose regarding the anomalous contracts and other financial irregularities committed by the town’s previous administration. Asked for comment about allegations that he and several local officials receive a one-peso grease money per board foot of illegally cut timber being passed through the town, Salunat said he has already asked the help of the Community Environment Officer to look into the illegal tree-cutting activities and to file appropriate charges to whoever will be apprehended. "Even if there were no names mentioned in this ‘kotong’ issue, it's obvious that I am the one being referred to," he said. - Floro Taguinod, GMANews.TV