PBBM denounces shooting of contractor in Negros Oriental

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has condemned the shooting of a 58-year-old engineer and contractor while on his way to a quarry site in Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental, Malacañang said on Friday. (PCO file photo)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has condemned the shooting of a 58-year-old engineer and contractor while on his way to a quarry site in Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental, Malacañang said on Friday.

“Tama lang po na imbestigahan iyan para malaman natin ang puno’t dulo niya. At kinukondena natin ang mga karahasan na ito. Iyan ay ayon sa Pangulo (It is only right to investigate that so we can find out the root cause. And we condemn these acts of violence, as stated by the President),” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.

The victim, identified as Angelito Mendoza, was shot by unidentified assailants while en route to a quarry site in Barangay San Francisco on Wednesday morning, according to reports.

Authorities have already identified persons of interest but declined to disclose their identities, pending the results of the ongoing investigation.

The incident happened amid the investigation into alleged anomalies in the government’s flood control projects.

Castro assured the public that there will be no harassment of persons involved in the implementation of projects under scrutiny, emphasizing the government’s commitment to a fair and just process.

“Alam naman natin kung ano ang nais ng Pangulo – makasuhan ang dapat makasuhan, mapanagot ang dapat na mapanagot (We all know what the President wants – those who should be charged must be charged, those who should be held accountable must be held accountable),” she said.

“At ipag-uutos pa rin ng Pangulo na dapat seryosohin ito lalo na ng mga PNP (Philippine National Police) para maiwasan kung anumang krimen ang maidudulot nito kaugnay sa pag-iimbestiga sa flood control projects (And the President will still order that this matter be taken seriously, especially by the PNP, to prevent any crimes that may arise in connection with the investigation of the flood control projects).”