Agoo mayoral bet says kidnap rap a lie

MANILA, Philippines - Agoo, La Union mayoralty candidate Tess Dumpit-Michelena has denounced the daily harassment allegedly being perpetrated by ex-mayor Eufranio Eriguel and his goons against her, her family and their supporters.

After the unprovoked trespassing and attempted multiple murder case by a gun-toting Eriguel and his armed band of about a dozen goons at around 2:30 p.m. on Good Friday, against the Dumpit-Michelena household, and around 70 guests having late lunch at the house, men suspected to be henchmen of the ex-mayor again exploded a bomb near the same beachfront house at 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

Neighborhood fishermen said that a known Eriguel toughie lobbed an improvised bomb known as bong-bong at the house from a boat cruising the coastline. The bombing occurred while six policemen assigned by the PNP regional office to protect the household were patrolling areas at the compound. They heard the sound of the boat’s engine as the men fled but could not fire since it was too dark.

Dumpit-Michelena also denounced the charges of kidnapping and grave coercion leveled against her, her husband and six others by one Roger Espiritu, saying they are completely fabricated and based on lies fed to him.

Recounting the day of the attack, Dumpit-Michelena said it was Espiritu who sent word that he wanted to seek forgiveness from her for exploding a dynamite during her first caucus at San Julian West at around 10:15 p.m. on March 27.

“Kapit-sa-patalim, Eriguel is trying to cover himself by having Espiritu manufacture these lies,” Dumpit-Michelena said. “It was Espiritu who asked to be brought to my house because he had something secret to tell me. He had earlier asked us to meet him at the barangay hall, which we did in the presence of at least four barangay officials led by Kagawad Ronnie Carrera and as many as 50 barangay members.

“Espiritu admitted having exploded the device and we even asked him to apologize not only to me, but to the other barangay members around, as his act may have put their children and family in harm’s way. He did, and then asked in front of everybody to be brought to my house,” Dumpit-Michelena said.