APALIT -- One of the supporters of Fourth District Board Member Nestor "Bay" Tolentino, who is seeking the mayoral post in the 2016 polls, was reportedly threatened by two unidentified armed men at Barangay San Vicente here on the evening of September 30.
According to the barangay blotter obtained by Sun.Star Pampanga, Alvin Sawal, 25, vice president of the Apalit Youth Federation and a supporter of the aspiring mayor, said that two unidentified men riding a motorcycle allegedly pointed what looked like a caliber .45 handgun at him while on his way home after the informal meeting he attended with Tolentino at Barangay Sampaloc.
"Tinanong nila ako kung bakit ako sumasama kay Nestor ‘Bay’ Tolentino tapos sinagot ko, bakit? Binabangga ko ba kayo?" Sawal told Sun.Star Pampanga in a separate interview.
He added that the two armed men wearing bonnets allegedly told him that they will take his life if he will not stop supporting Tolentino. He reportedly answered, "Bakit hindi niyo ako patayin?"
However, he explained that the two men left and spared his life and headed towards Macabebe town after the incident.
For his part, Barangay San Vicente Kagawad Ernie Sampang, Jr., said that Sawal did not immediately report the incident to authorities out of fear.
"Sinabihan ko siya na sabihin sa magulang niya pero natatakot daw siya, kaya sinamahan ko siya at sabi ko sa mga magulang niya na i-blotter kung ano ang nangyari," Sampang said.
Meanwhile, Tolentino has asked his fellow candidates to stop the alleged threats to his followers.
"Kanya-kanya tayo ng mga tao tuwing panahon ng halalan. Kung sino ang maraming followers sila ang mananalo. Bakit kailangang takutin ang mga followers ng mga ibang kandidato?" he stressed.
Tolentino also said that the incident is not right and confirmed that Sawal is his supporter as they are good friends. (with a report from Chris Navarro/Sun.Star Pampanga)