Balete mayor denies links to Siman

BATANGAS, Philippines – Balete town Mayor Leovino Hidalgo yesterday appeared before the police to deny any links to Vic Siman, one of 13 men killed in the Atimonan shootout and suspected to have been a gambling lord.

Hidalgo, accompanied by Batangas Rep. Nelson Collantes, had a meeting with regional police director Chief Superintendent James Melad last Monday, during which he denied involvement in any illegal gambling activities.

Hidalgo was mentioned along with Siman in a purported proposal to “neutralize” illegal gambling syndicates in the Calabarzon region.

Hidalgo, however, vehemently denied being involved in illegal gambling or any criminal activity.

“You can see for yourself the standard of living in Balete. If I myself am involved in illegal activities, maybe I could have a higher standard of living,” he told Melad at the PNP Calabarzon headquarters at Camp Vicente Lim in Laguna.

Asked what Melad told him, Hidalgo told reporters that the Calabarzon police chief took note of his denial.

Melad was among the ranking police officials who made the proposal which was, however, disapproved by the higher authorities.

Hidalgo also denied knowing Siman and his illegal gambling operations in Calabarzon.

Siman was among 13 men killed during an alleged shootout with government forces in Atimonan, Quezon on Jan. 6.

Last Monday, a former member of Siman’s group, Fernando Morales, was killed in another police operation in San Juan, Batangas.

Hidalgo also denied knowing Morales.

Hidalgo said the allegations against him were politically motivated.

“There are some people who are envious of my position as mayor. That might be the only reason why I was implicated,” he said.

Hidalgo was a former police officer and was elected mayor of Balete under the ruling Liberal Party.