Ablan accused of indiscriminate firing

Ilocos Norte Rep. Roque "Roquito" Ablan Jr. has been accused of indiscriminately firing his gun in a resort town in his province on Holy Thursday.

In a resolution, the municipal council of Pagudpud, which is known for its white sand beaches and beautiful coves, has asked the House of Representatives and the Philippine National Police to investigate Ablan for the incident.

Sought for comment, Ablan admitted that he and his visitors, who he said were "investors from Singapore and Japan," fired guns in Sitio Dialao, Barangay Caparispisan in the afternoon of April 13.

"Nag-target practice lang kami (We just did target practice), and no one complained," he told reporters.

He said they were even accompanied by policemen.

In its resolution, the Pagudpud municipal council said the "illegal and indiscriminate discharge of firearms" by Ablan and his group alarmed tourists and residents and disrupted the peace in their town.

"Pagudpud is famous for its wholesome and natural ambiance, and our visitors come here to relax and unwind and to enjoy Mother Nature in its pristine and unspoiled beaches," it said.

It said any news about anyone disturbing the peace in the town "is very detrimental to its tourism image."

The council also informed the PNP that residents of Barangays Caparispisan and Saud have complained of frequent indiscriminate firing in their area, though they did not say by whom.

On April 22, his birthday, Ablan was also reportedly involved in a gun-firing incident at the Laoag International Airport.

Ablan has been a politician since the time of the late President Marcos. He is a distant relative of the Marcoses.

In a recent chat with journalists, he boasted that he was the only one who could imitate the signature of the late president.

He reportedly owns a beachfront property in Pagudpud.

He and the Sales family of politicians in the town are political enemies. Matilde Sales, wife of the former mayor, was Ablan’s opponent in the May 2004 elections. The incumbent mayor is Marlon Sales.

The Saleses are friends of opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson, whom they supported in the last presidential elections.