A WEEK after the fatal shooting that led to the arrest of the town’s Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation president, Argao Mayor Allan Sesaldo publicly addressed the issue for the first time on Friday, July 18, 2025, urging SK chairpersons to stay true to their mandate and rebuild public trust.
Sesaldo met with SK leaders in a closed-door consultative meeting, his first official response since the arrest of SK Federation president Mark Alphonsus Villamora.
Villamora now faces a murder charge for allegedly gunning down 28-year-old Elmer Angelo Amarillo inside a resto-bar on July 11.
“Stand by the principles and the oath that you took… Abide by this oath,” Sesaldo said.
Sesaldo stressed the importance of continuity and integrity in governance, saying that the SK Federation vice president will temporarily assume leadership while the investigation is ongoing.
He called on the youth officials to remain united and focused, despite the controversy surrounding the federation.
The mayor’s statement comes amid growing public concern about the credibility of youth governance in Argao following the high-profile arrest.
Police confirmed that Villamora, who was arrested shortly after the shooting, had a licensed firearm but lacked a permit to carry it outside his residence.
Councilor Guillermo Caminero echoed the mayor’s call for unity, urging SK officials to set aside political differences and continue serving their barangays.
Argao Councilor Vip Semilla and Local Youth Development Officer Reymark Albofera were also present during the meeting.
Aside from addressing the leadership vacuum, the mayor encouraged the youth leaders to create meaningful programs that address pressing issues such as education, mental health and drug prevention. / CDF