Press Release
January 5, 2010

Villar condemns killing of supporter in Davao del Sur

Nacionalista Party president and standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar yesterday condemned the killing of a supporter in Davao del Sur as he extended his sincerest sympathies to the family of the victim.

Cipriano "Bobong" Albores, a former kagawad of Kinangan, Malita, Davao del Sur and an organizer of the Manny Villar for President Movement in the province, was gunned down on December 28 by two still unidentified assailants.

The motive for the killing is still unknown.

"I call on authorities to quickly resolve the brutal murder of Albores. I am appalled and at the same time alarmed at these acts of violence against members of the NP. This atmosphere of impunity should not dictate the conduct of the coming elections. The government should not allow this seeming lawlessness to prevail," Villar said.

Albores, aged 41 and married with three kids, was felled by 18 bullets near his house in Kinangan.

The ambush on Villar's supporter is among a series of attacks against NP members that resulted in the death of two candidates.

On December 29, Barangay Captain Wilbert "Dodong" Origines, ABC president and NP candidate for vice mayor in Taganaan town, Surigao del Norte, was gunned down. He later died due to complications from the gunshot wounds.

A day before, four still unidentified armed men gunned down a convoy of NP members that resulted in the death of Barangay Chairman Joen Canete, the party's candidate for councilor in the town of Dingras. Villar will be in Dingras, Ilocos Norte tomorrow to visit Canete's wake.

Also injured in the incident were board member Dr. Robert De Castro, Councilor Jimboy Albano, SPO2 Cesar Sabado, Joel Rosqueta, Fernando Sebastian and Gaudencio Teodoro. Also with the party though unharmed was Barangay Chairman Joefrey Saguid, who is running for mayor in Dingras carrying the NP banner.

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