Torched ambulance fuels political feud

Ginatilan town Mayor Dean Michael Singco, in a recent interview on the torching of an ambulance in barangay Guiwanon last week, was quick to say that it is not impossible the incident was politically motivated.

This drew a reaction from Vice Mayor Clarito Dinglasa with whom Singco reportedly had a long-standing political rivalry.

The friction between the two was reportedly intensified with the latest passage of the Annual Budget, which Dinglasa claimed to have been illegally approved.

Dinglasa in an interview with The Freeman yesterday said if the ambulance was indeed torched intentionally and politically motivated, then it might have been the party of Singco who may have done it.

He said that contrary to reports, it was not the first time that the ambulance was parked in barangay Guiwanon, as the driver resides there.

Dinglasa pointed out that the municipal council was about to approve an ordinance on the use of the ambulance as an answer to mounting complaints. The complaints cited some residents being denied use of ambulance allegedly because of partisan affiliations.

He added that the annual budget under the Office of the Municipal Secretary was supposed to carry an appropriation for three drivers on shift to ensure a 24-hour availability of their service.

However, he said this was scrapped by Singco.

Dinglasa said the council will conduct a separate investigation on the incident next week with the expected attendance of other councilors and the witnesses.

Fishermen reportedly saw a man inside the ambulance clicking the lights prior to the torching. - Ferliza C. Contratista