Rep. Gonzales shows proof of threat. Photo by Bong Lacson
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Congressman Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales (Pampanga, 3rd district) is the least intimidated by an apparent death threat he reportedly received over the weekend.
Gonzales even vowed to increase his campaign 500 percent, during a press conference he called yesterday at his residence here.
“Lalu kung pasiknan ing kampanya ku 500 percent (I will even increase my campaigning 500 percent),” he said.
According to the solon, his former close-in security aide, whom he identified as SPO2 Angel Pesayco, was the one who received a brown envelope which was inserted in his gate at their house in St. Jude Village.
The brown envelope contained a white sheet of paper with “Dong” written in big, bold black letters and five live bullets for M-16 rifle.
But Gonzales said Pesayco was no longer detailed to his security after the PNP assigned him back to his mother unit at the San Fernando Police Office although he still augmented the solon’s security group during big events.
“Maybe they think he is still part of my security,” Gonzales said. He added he now has only two security aides from the Police Security Protection Group (PSPG).
Gonzales, who is seeking re-election for his last term, said he considers the threat “serious” and suspects politics as behind the move to terrorize him. This can also be considered as a threat to my leaders and supporters, he added.
Prior to this, he said his tarpaulins all over the district bannering his picture and initiatives were painted with black markings.
“Wala po akong sinasabing sila. Pero pulitika ang nasa likod nito. May nagsisilbi ng suspect (I am not saying it’s them. But politics is behind all of these. There is already a posible suspect),” he said but declined to name anybody.
He explained that a desperate person can do anything just to win just like what happened to heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson when, out of desperation, he bit the ear of his opponent Evander Holyfield during their championship fight sometime ago.
“This is now my worry. That’s my fear. Hindi ito ang pinasukan ko (This is not what I engaged in),” he said.
He added that what he entered into was “a new picture of politics based on relevant issues that uplift the lives of my constituents.”
He said this is the first time he received such threat in almost six years as congressman and three years as provincial board member.
Gonzales said the incident has prompted Pesayco to relocate his family to a safe location after he had the incident posted in the police blotter.
Gonzales said he is appealing to the Comelec and law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and act with dispatch to expose and thwart the people behind this and prevent any possible violence.
