Tuesday, April 29, 2008 Arrogante widow seeks Arroyo’s help in going after mastermind of killing
THE widow of businessman and former Daanbantayan town council candidate Renerio Arrogante III has sought the help of President Arroyo in getting justice for the killing.
Julieta Arrogante, carrying a “confidential” letter, yesterday went to the inauguration of the roll-on roll-off (roro) port in Polambato, Bogo City upon learning that President Arroyo herself would unveil its marker.
Julieta approached Bogo City Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr., an ally of the Arrogantes. Martinez, in turn, introduced Julieta to Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.
Martinez asked Garcia to help Julieta talk to Arroyo. Martinez and Garcia became friendly since the Capitol-initiated Suroy Suroy Sugbo dropped by Bogo City for the first time last April 10. Garcia agreed.
When Arroyo finally arrived, Julieta found herself face-to-face with the President for a minute or so, just enough time for her to hand the President her “confidential” letter.
Julieta, in an interview after meeting Arroyo, said she had just enough time to tell the President that her husband was assassinated last March 9.
In an interview with reporters before Arroyo arrived at the inauguration of the Polambato port, Julieta said she only wants justice for her husband, more popularly known as “Gogong.”
She would not reveal the content of the letter, just that it had “confidential infirmation” inside.
She also said she was not dissatisfied with the investigation of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) that resulted to the arrest of the suspected gunman, Sgt.
Moises Ludoc.
“We are (satisfied)...but if the President can help us, we would really appreciate it. We just want justice,” said Julieta. She said she wants to go after the mastermind of the killing.
“The President is the most powerful person in the country so it’s a good reason to ask justice from the President,” said Martinez, who fielded Renerio as one of his candidates in Daanbantayan.
Martinez was also hopeful that the meeting will come around because Renerio’s father, also a former councilor in Daanbantayan, was a supporter of the President’s father, former president Diosdado Macapagal.
When asked if he believes that the killing was politically motivated, Martinez said yes. But when pressed as to who could be behind it, Martinez would only say, “Your guess is as good as mine.”
Julieta started crying when Martinez also introduced her to Garcia, shortly before the President’s arrival.
“I really hope justice will be given to your family,” the governor told Julieta.
Renerio ran for councilor in the May 14 elections under the ticket of Augusto Corro, but lost. Corro ran and lost against Mayor Sun Shimura. (JGA)
