THOUSANDS attended the burial of slain Ronda Mayor Mariano “Nonie” Blanco III at the Ronda Catholic Cemetery yesterday.
Some towsfolk were emotional during the necrological service held in front of Ronda Municipal Hall at noon.
In her message, the mayor’s sister, Haydee Blanco-Razon, hit at the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, which she described as judgemental.
“This administration of Duterte is very judgemental. I want you all people to be mindful of that,” she told the crowd.
Also speaking at the service was Ronda first Councilor and now Ronda Mayor Rocky Gabatan, who described Blanco as his second father.
“I hope you will attain justice, Mayor Nonie. May the angels greet in you in heaven,” he said in his message.
The crowd was emotional when it was the turn of Blanco’s daughter Ann Marie to speak. She talked of her father as good and loving.
“My father is a legend, religious and principled. Pa, your legacy and wisdom will live forever,” she said.
After the service, a mass was held at the Ronda Parish Church of Our Lady of Sorrows at 2 p.m.
“Justice on its own is not enough. Ronda loves you mayor Nonie,” said the print on the shirts worn by the people in the crowd.
On the investigation, the police are still clueless on the identities of the four killers.
Supt. Janette Rafter, Cebu Provincial Police Office spokesperson, said the special investigation task group (SITG) members are hopeful they can get leads from the the two watchmen who saw the gunmen.
SITG, Rafter said, has no other possible witnesses of the incident.
The two job-order employees saw the arrival of the culprits outside Ronda’s legislative building and disembarked from a a white van last Sept. 5.
The assailants then went to the mayor’s office on the second floor of the town hall through the back stairs and shot Blanco several times. The watchmen failed to see their faces as they were instructed to lie down.
Ronda officials first reported that the two employees went missing, but the police located them.
“Naa ra sila sa (They are just in) Ronda and accessible to our investigators,” Rafter said of the watchmen.
At the time of attack, only two police officers were in the police station, which stands beside the town hall. The other officers were either reportedly out serving three warrants of arrest or doing patrol.
The Ronda police officers, including the police chief, were relieved after the incident.
Rafter said the investigation on the officers has yet to be completed. (KAL, SuperBalita correspondent Jude Suhot)