Chiong assures residents Cabungahan is now safe

CEBU - Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong yesterday called on the residents of barangay Cabungahan to return to their normal lives, assuring them that the city government and the police have the situation under control.

Tension gripped the barangay after a pregnant woman was killed when the supporters of former barangay captain Epifanio Gentica fired at a group of men believed to be supporters of incumbent barangay captain Federico Cabizares who were watching a basketball game last Sunday.

Lani Lapiz, who was already on her way home with her four children, was hit on the pelvis and subsequently died.

“Naa na dinhi ang atong mga police SRU og sa Naga, naa mi mga opsiyales sa ciudad nga inyo dayon nga masampit, ebalik na sa normal ang inyong kinabuhi dire sa Cabungahan,” Chiong requested the residents during the service mission he conducted with city officials.

Chiong also assured the residents that he is communicating with the feuding parties so differences can be threshed out.

The student turnout at the Cabungahan Elementary School remained low yesterday despite the presence of the police.

Floreste Adlawan, teacher-in-charge at the school, said only 52 students attended classes yesterday. Contrary to what figure issued by the police earlier, the school only has 176 enrollees and not 400.

Adlawan said parents went panic and fetched their children from school after learning that there were still armed men in the vicinity. Classes were eventually suspended that day. The next day, Tuesday, only 22 students went to school.

With security in place, teachers are pleading for the parents to bring their children back to school so they could prepare for an upcoming examination.

“Please paeskwelaha na intawn ninyo ang mga bata kay hapit na raba ang tests, dili ni basta basta,” Adlawan said. Murder charges are already filed against shooting suspects Ronald Paunil, Bernadine Gentica and Edgar Bacus, grandchildren of Gentica.

Gentica was barangay captain of Cabungahan for 46 years but his bet in last year’s barangay elections lost to Cabizares. However, Cabizares denied having any grudge on Gentica.

He said he has high respects for Gentica except that he was not able to discipline his supporters.

Meanwhile, Lapiz’ husband Gregorio confirmed his wife was two months pregnant when she died.

The couple has four children ages 14, 12, 10 and eight. Gregorio was one of the players during the basketball game last Sunday.

Lapiz was buried yesterday. — Ferliza C. Contratista/JMO (THE FREEMAN)