Isabela gov gets threats via text

CAUAYAN CITY — Isabela Gov. Faustino Dy informed police and military authorities yesterday that he has been receiving threats through text messages.

The text messages warned Dy that the New People’s Army (NPA) would abduct him or any member of his family and that he should be careful because guerrillas are following him in his campaign sorties.

"Gov Dy mag-ingat kayo sampu ng inyong pamilya. Kung hindi man ikaw isa sa miyembro ng inyong pamilya ang aming dudukutin (Gov. Dy, better be careful, including your family. If not you, we will abduct a member of your family)," read the last text message he received Friday night.

Dy even allowed members of the Isabela Press Club to read the threatening text messages on his cellular phone.

"I receive at least three threatening messages everyday from this number," he said.

Dy said he has requested the help of the National Telecommunications Commission and the National Bureau of Investigation to trace the sender of the text messages.

Dy, national chairman and chief executive officer of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), accused the Isabela United Opposition of being behind the threatening text messages.

"I was informed by military and police intelligence that the Isabela United Opposition has engaged the expertise of some leftist organizations to do black propaganda against me," he said.

But the Isabela United Opposition, led by Aksyon Demokratiko gubernatorial candidate Grace Padaca, belied Dy’s claims.

The group also denied that the Catholic hierarchy in the province is supporting them.

She said Bishop Sergio Utleg, along with local priests, is spearheading a province-wide education campaign to help voters decide who to vote in the May 10 national and local elections.

Earlier, Utleg said Catholic priests are prohibited from endorsing or campaigning for or against any candidate.

He, however, said the Catholic Church will issue guidelines to help voters choose their candidates.

Senior Superintendent Nelson Nario, provincial police director, ordered the Second Provincial Mobile Force based in Barangay Alinam here to beef up Dy’s security.

He also directed all local police chiefs to closely monitor the movements of rival politicians in their respective areas.