FPJ supporter killed in QC traffic accident

A leader of an anti-Arroyo group was killed in a vehicular accident while on his way to a rally in Quezon City yesterday.

Police said Saturnino "Johnny " Moldero, 56, president of the Makabansang Aksyon ng Taongbayan (MATA) and former vice president for northern Luzon of the Fernando Poe Jr. for President Movement (FPJPM) was on his way to attend a press conference of the Unity for Truth and Justice (UTJ) when the scooter he was driving was hit by a van on Peria Road, Balara at 7 a.m.

Moldero, an artist and former governor of Mt. Province, sustained contusions and abrasions on his body.

He died on his way to the Gen. Miguel Malvar Medical Foundation hospital. Initial reports indicated he died of internal bleeding.

The driver of the van is now under police custody.

From the Quezon Memorial Circle, Moldero was supposed to join his group for a march to the Ever Gotesco shopping center on Commonwealth Avenue, where opposition groups were set to stage a mammoth rally to coincide with President Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Opposition leaders mourned the death of Moldero, whom they said died "without seeing the change he was fighting for, particularly the resignation of Arroyo and the institution of a new and pro-people government."

"We will surely miss him, but his death will only make us more resolute and firm in our quest for a leadership change and for a better government which are the dreams of any ordinary Filipino," said Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino president and UTJ convenor Horacio Morales.

United Opposition president and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay said Moldero was a pillar and a very effective leader in the FPJ movement.

Actor Rez Cortez said Moldero’s death was a great loss to the anti-Arroyo movement.

Believing that FPJ was cheated in the last elections, Moldero formed MATA to sprearhead a nationwide signature campaign calling for Mrs. Arroyo’s resignation.

His wife Carmen, blamed his death on the bad luck that has hounded the Arroyo administration.

"Malas talaga ang gobyernong ito," she said.