Jimalalud town mayor Reynaldo Tuanda Sr. has bared a threat to his life apparently over the capture of three suspects in a robbery incident in the neighboring town of Tayasan two weeks ago.{{more}}
Tuanda, who also heads the League of Municipal Mayors in Negros Oriental, said he received the threat by way of a text message last Tuesday dawn. The message, from mobile phone number 09322317069 read: “Mayor, nanghilabot ka sa dili imong katungod, Tayasan among gitulis, hukom sa tanang kauban kuhaon ka namo karong tuiga (Mayor, you are interfering in an area outside your turf–we robbed Tayasan. Everyone in our group has decided to get you this year). We know where you live in Dumaguete,” it added.
Former Jimalalud councilor Jojo Gantalao, 38, Rogie Padilla, 31, and Rosendo de Asis have been charged for the daytime heist in Tayasan, Negros Oriental following their arrest. Gantalao is a former municipal councilor of Jimalalud town, who also happens to be Tuanda’s political opponent.
“This is the risk of being a public servant,” Tuanda told Dumaguete reporters. “If only to see to it that my community can be a peaceful one, I will take the risk. I don’t want those tough guys to rule the streets in my town,” he said.
Jimalalud is about 100 kilometers north of Dumaguete City.
Tuanda said he believes the threats come from the same group of people who had sent him similar threats during the campaign period.
“Whatever the results of this case, I have nothing to do with it, except when there is something bad that will occur, the mayor, the SB, the police and citizens of Jimalalud will always be there to arrest them,” Tuanda said. (PNA/JG)
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