CEBU, Philippines — The mayor of San Fernando, Cebu is still Lakambini “Neneth” Reluya.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7 has denied that it has issued a memorandum circular declaring Reluya’s dismissal from the service.
The debunked text message, which has circulated online, linked Reluya to the illegal drugs trade.
The message read: “UNDER NEW DILG MEMO CIRCULAR: Mayor Reluya can no longer (return) to her post as mayor (because) she is involved in illegal drugs... as a drug protector. Pass the message of DILG."
This online hoax surfaced weeks after Reluya was ambushed in Talisay City that injured her and killed her husband, Barangay Chairman Ricardo Reluya, Jr. and two other companions.
In a statement, the DILG-7 has clarified that not a single memorandum was released regarding the matter.
“It would be impossible (that the circular came from our) department because we don’t have the list of those drug-related personalities,” said lawyer Ian Kenneth Lucero of DILG-7.
He said the regional office will relay the matter to its head office in Manila.
The DILG-7 has also belied the issuance of another department order replacing the incumbent mayor.
For DILG-Region 7, Reluya is still the mayor of San Fernando, Cebu. It also requested the public to refrain from sharing or forwarding this “wrong” message to others in order to avoid spreading misleading information.
Local officials of the National Telecommunications Commission had reminded the public to reject messages whose sender is unknown and is carrying an 11-digit number.
Legitimate messages commonly come from senders whose names automatically appear on the cellphone such as NDRRMC.
Lakambini, who is recuperating, has already been discharged from the hospital and has promised to return to work once she fully recovers.
She is seeking re-election in the May 13 midterm elections, with her husband as her running mate.
The mayor was riding a white van together with her husband and four other people when they were ambushed by an undetermined number of armed men in Barangay Linao, Talisay City at around 5:30 p.m. last Jan 22.
Lakambini’s husband and two other people, Allan Bayot and Ricky Monterona, died on the spot.
The mayor and two others, Giovani Perez and Tolentin Jefer, survived the attack, but with injuries.
Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde has ordered Cebu Provincial Police Director Manuel Abrugena and Talisay Police Chief Marlu Conag to solve the case in two weeks or face administrative relief.
He has also ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to take part in the probe.
Police Regional Office 7 Chief Debold Sinas had earlier said he is willing to step aside in order for other police personnel or department to continue with the probe, if they would not be able to solve the case in two weeks.
Lakambini has not given a name on who could be responsible for her ambush but records show she is seeking reelection against Ruben Feliciano.
Feliciano had denied he had a hand on the ambush. He told The FREEMAN that he and Reluya had a history of disagreement but he will never resort to violence.
“I strongly deny any involvement in the so-called ‘kill list’ insinuated by my political rivals, more so on any hand in the ambush of Panadtaran Brgy Captain Nonoy Reluya and two other people,” he said.
He also denied owning the Facebook account named “Ruben O. Feliciano” that published the supposed kill list.
“Anyone can post it, di ba? I strongly deny that,” he said.
Among the comments posted by the account named four councilors who are alleged to be linked to illegal drugs, including Alfonso Donaire, Edwin Villaver, Reniboy Dacalos, and Johnny Ariesgado.
Dacalos and Ariesgado were shot to death in two separate incidents this month.
“While it may true that I and the Reluyas had a disagreement over my port project, which resulted in the filing of several charges in court and in the Ombudsman, I choose to bring the matter to court because I believe in the rule of law,” Feliciano said.
He said he is willing to be investigated. — GAN, (FREEMAN)