Press Release
January 1, 2010

Sen. Villar on the death of NP vice-mayoralty Wilbert "Dodong" Origines candidate in Taganaan town

We at the Nacionalista Party express our deepest and sincerest condolences to the family of Barangay Captain Wilbert "Dodong" Origines, ABC president and our candidate for vice mayor in Taganaan town, Surigao del Norte.

Barangay Captain Origines died a few days after he was gunned down by still unidentified gunmen in his house. He suffered three gunshot wounds.

The shooting came only a day after a group of NP members in Dingras, Ilocos Norte were ambushed, resulting in the death of Barangay Captain Joen Canetert, the party's candidate for councilor in the said town.

We are extremely outraged by these brazen acts of violence against our members. This cowardly show of force undermines not only our democratic institutions, but also the sacred right of the people to vote.

But we tell all those who plan to use brute force and violence in the elections: we at the NP will not be cowed by these spineless shows of hostility and aggression. The NP will continue to wage a campaign based on a principled and pro-poor platform.

We urge authorities to resolve these crimes as swiftly as possible. Only by doing so can we restore the faith of the people in the elections and at the same time afford the families of the victims justice.

We reiterate our call to all political parties to sign a manifesto against violence with us before the Commission on Elections, the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Let the Filipino people witness our commitment to an honest and peaceful election. The bloodshed must stop now.

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