Nueva Ecija police chief on string of slays: What reign of terror?

CABANATUAN CITY — "What reign of terror?"

This was the sharp retort of Senior Superintendent Alex Paul Monteagudo, Nueva Ecija police director, to the tirade of third district Rep. Aurelio Umali against what he claimed was the failure of the police to solve the string of murders in the province in the past few months.

Earlier, Umali said there is a growing state of lawlessness and reign of terror in the province due to the string of killings of politicians and businessmen.

Umali warned that citizens might decide to arm themselves as protection against criminal elements.

He asked for Monteagudo’s relief "for not doing anything to solve the murders."

Umali cited 12 high-profile killings which he said remain unsolved.

Among those killed were former vice governor Loreto Pangilinan, former Talavera vice mayor Cocoy Esguerra, former Llanera mayoral bet Ambrocio Matias and his son Leonard, businessmen Greg Santos, Bobby Martin and Florencio Gloria, Anakpawis leader Cecilia Esteban, engineer Jesusimo Mariano, and engineer Lucio Hipolito, an aide of fourth district Rep. Rody Antonino.

Umali also cited the case of Bayan leader Danilo Macapagal who was abducted seven months ago and whose whereabouts remain unknown.

He also cited reports that armed goons have been terrorizing residents of Pantabangan town.

Saying that a reign of terror prevails in the province, according to Monteagudo, would mean that the killings were orchestrated and only one group was behind them.

"That you cannot go out in the streets. Di naman ganoon (It’s not like that)," he said.

While he admitted that there has been, indeed, a spate of killings lately, Monteagudo said the Nueva Ecija police has initiated plans and programs to address the problem.

He said he even asked Chief Superintendent Alejandro Lapinid, the regional police director, to help the Nueva Ecija police.

He said Lapinid has sent two platoons to help beef up security in the affected areas.

"Nobody can say you can stop the commission of crimes. I myself was concerned, that’s why I (sought help from) Director Lapinid," he said.

Monteagudo said the police have been doing their best to address Umali’s concern.

"He is our congressional representative and maybe, he is just raising his concern. I assure him we are doing everything," he said.

He said Gov. Tomas Joson III is likewise concerned about the killings and has also badgered him about them.