Sangil: The stories in Arayat town

THE banner headline in this paper last week was that former Arayat Chito Espino was cleared after the Pampanga provincial prosecutor Jt. Leonardo C. Santos dismissed the direct assault and frustrated murder against him and his four other companions. Luckily for Espino he was represented by one of the best lawyers in the province, lawyer Atlee Viray. (Btw, Attorney Viray in earlier years represented me in libel suits filed against this writer. Of course, we won the cases).

The implication in the parochial politics of the town is quite resounding. The absolution of Espino in the case may not have deep consequences on the political landscape, yet Mayor Emmanuel “Bon” Alejandrino said he was saddened by the court clearing his political rival, despite what he claimed as strong evidence to warrant a filing.

It might be recalled that on the early morning of February 15 joint elements of PNP (Philippine National Police) Special Action Forces(SAF) and members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group served a search warrant against Espino in his residence. It was alleged that Espino assaulted and fired at the incoming police contingent.

In his rebuttal, Attorney Viray said that “the execution of the search warrant was irregular, with abuse of authority and violation of their (respondents) constitutional rights.”

To add, Viray quoted a jurisprudence: “The sacred right against an arrest, search or seizure is not only ancient. It is also zealously safeguarded. The constitution guarantees the right of people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures.”

Arayat is one of the most beautiful towns in Pampanga province. It is surrounded by the mystique of Mt. Arayat, where it was once said that the mountain stood in the town of Candaba. The old folk tale that was written said that once upon time Haring Suku and wife Mariang Makiling and their three beautiful daughters lived in this mountain. And in this great mound of earth there were all kinds of animals, roaming freely. It was covered by lush of greens and tall trees. It was once a majestic mountain. And those fairies and other mythological creatures also lived there. Until one day people began desecrating it.

Haring Suku decided to move the mountain to where it is now with the help of his two bodyguards, Cargen and Cargon. Believe it or not, the base of Mt. Arayat is the same in size of Candaba swamp, where it is still believe by older folks that it really happened. Well, well.

My tweets:

All urban centers should encourage buildings and food parks to build multi-level storey park areas. The way is to go up.

What happened on the discussions between government agencies and environmental NGOs regarding those trees along the MacArthur Highway. There should be a middle ground.

Marquee Mall in Angeles City and SM Clark are running out of spaces for the many vehicles of their workers and customers.

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