Isabela folk cry for justice for slain Ilagan mayor

ILAGAN, Isabela — Isabeliños are crying for justice for this capital town’s slain mayor, Delfinito Albano, whose remains arrived here the other day.

Throngs of grieving residents lined up the national highway to get a glimpse of the casket of the 45-year-old Albano, who was gunned down in Quezon City last Tuesday night.

Despite Delfinito’s gruesome killing, the Albano clan here vowed that they would not resort to "vendetta" against the perpetrators.

Speaking for their clan, Tonypet Albano, son of Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) chairman Rodolfo Albano Jr., half-brother of the murdered mayor, said they would allow the wheels of justice to take their course rather that resort to extra-legal means.

Despite rumors here that "uniformed men" were behind the killing, Tonypet said they would not resort to personal vendetta to seek justice for their murdered uncle.

Tonypet, brother of Isabela first district Rep. Rodito Albano, described the gunmen and the masterminds of his uncle’s gunslaying as "cowards."

Provincial officials and local folk also expressed their outrage over Delfinito’s killing.

"We condemn the murder. A thorough investigation should be made to arrest those responsible for this brutal crime and charge them in court," said second district Rep. Edwin Uy.

"We demand justice for our beloved mayor. Let (the) perpetrators of the crime suffer for their evil and barbaric action," said security guard, Patricio Cruz, who had to inch his way to get a glimpse of the mayor’s remains.

"We curse those responsible for our mayor’s killing. They will pay for their crime. They will suffer the wrath of the Ilagueños," said a teary-eyed market vendor, who professed to be a supporter of the Albanos.

For her part, Gov. Grace Padaca described Delfinito as a "hardworking, sincere and dedicated public servant."

"It is never right to take one’s life no matter what the motive is. We condemn the killing," she said.

Philippine flags in all government offices and public and private schools here were flown at half-mast as Delfinito’s remains, accompanied by his wife, Marites, 45, arrived here at about 6 p.m. the other day.

From the Tuguegarao domestic airport to this capital town, thousands of grieving residents lined up the streets to pay their last respects to the slain mayor.

The remains were first brought to the Albanos’ ancestral house in Cabagan town for a 30-minute prayer before the convoy proceeded to Barangay Bliss here for the wake. 

"I cannot remember a local official whom you can call and wake up anytime, even at midnight or dawn for help, except Mayor Jojo," said a 63-year-old farmer.

Cordon Mayor Amado Vallejo said the Ilagueños have been deprived of a good and compassionate leader with Delfinito’s untimely death.

"Our family condemns the brutal slaying of Mayor Delfinito Albano. His town and his constituents lost a good and compassionate leader," said Alicia Mayor Napoleon Dy, the president of the provincial mayors’ league.

Dy is the brother of former Isabela governors Faustino Jr. and Benjamin, and incumbent Rep. Faustino Dy III.

The Dys and the Albanos are known political allies since the time of their respective patriarchs — former governor and congressman Delfin Albano and Faustino Dy Sr., the province’s longest-serving governor.

Delfinito, whose interment is scheduled on Wednesday, was on his second term as mayor of this region’s biggest municipality.