Ex-lawmaker slams cops for removing 'thank you' signs

SAN SIMON -- Former fourth district lawmaker Juan Pablo Bondoc has assailed the local police for removing the residents’ tarpaulins expressing gratitude to her sister, Congresswoman Ana York Bondoc-Sagum, for various projects implemented in this town.

Bondoc said their supporters informed him that policemen, under the leadership of Chief Inspector Paul Gamido, removed on Thursday morning the sign boards previously placed atop electric posts and house fences.

“Naging tradisyon na ng mga tao sa fourth district ang magpasalamat sa mga proyekto ng mga opisyales. O ngeni pemaklas da na la man reng streamers a kaswelu at paralan para magpasalamat da reng memalen,” Bondoc said.

He described the incident as political harassment considering that he already announced his plan to seek the congressional seat in the next year’s polls.

According to Bondoc, some politicians are probably behind the removal of the tarpaulins and they are only using the local police.

Bondoc claimed that his sister was singled out because the billboards of Mayor Leonora Wong and Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo were not removed.

Paul Balingit, chairman of Barangay San Roque, Macabebe town, said they recovered only 14 out of the more than 200 pieces of tarpaulins from the police station.

Balingit said some of the sign boards were used as covers of comfort rooms and backyard at the police station.

“Minta kami pu pulis station at Karin mila ikit reng tarpaulin. Melunus ku pu at me-touch kasi gewa dalang panabing keng cr at paminggalan,”

Balingit said Gamido denied that his men were the ones who removed the thank you signages. “Aliwa kanu reng pulis reng menanggal.”

The barangay chief added that Gamido even said that posting of signages along the highway is prohibited by law.

He said Congresswoman Bondoc deserves due respect because she was elected by constituents in the district’s eight towns. “Bakit hindi siya iginalang. Kung pwedeng nilang gawin yun sa isang opisyal, sa amin pa kayang malilit na mamamayan.

Bondoc said the residents are planning to file charges of abuse of authority, theft, and others against Gamido and his men in connection with the incident.

“Natatakot po ating mga kababayan dahil armado ang mga nagbaklas ng mga pasasalamat nila. Masama ang loob nila kasi wala silang magawa,” Bondoc said.

Board Member Nestor Tolentino said Pampanga Police Director Edgardo Tinio vowed to conduct an investigation on the incident.

“Magtaka ya naman I PD (Tinio). Sabi na pin e’la dapat makialam reng pulis keng politics. Napakatahimik ng San Simon tapos may mangyayaring insidenteng ganyan,” Tolentino said.

Bondoc stressed that he, together with the people, will not allow an environment of fear in his district. “Sigurado may sagot jan ang taong bayan [sa susunod na eleksiyon],” he said.