It pained me to hear about the gruesome murder of Mayor Jojo Albano a day after I arrived from the Philippines. I was shocked in reading my mom's text message informing me of the mayor's ambush on that fateful night. I did not believe it at first. Not until I opened my laptop, searched the web and found out that the sad news was true. When his remains were brought back to Ilagan, I cried and sobbed no end at the sight of the thousands of people along the highway from Tuguegarao Airport to Ilagan who showered flowers at his casket (I watched through 24 Oras on inq7.net). Such is a manifestation of the Albano legacy in public service started by Lolo Delfin Albano (Congressman of the Lone District of Isabela in the 50's through the early 60's) continued by Tito Rudy, Kuya Rodito, Ate Millet, Kuya Tonypet (who, although not in public office, shares his blessings to those in need) and Uncle Jojo.
Before I first met Uncle Jojo, I heard from relatives that he looked like Kuya Rodito, his nephew (Congressman of the 1st District of Isabela). I also heard that he's got the charisma and kindness of Lolo Delfin (his father). I met him for the first time when I was already a priest in 1998. He was, at that time, the one incharge of the Ilagan campaign of Kuya Rodito for congress. I observed that he was really a man of the masses as people from all walks of life love him.
When he became the Mayor of Ilagan in 2001, the Town was transformed into one of the cleanest municipalities in the Philippines. I remember seeing him lead the street cleaners as early as 5:30 am while I was going to the sports center for my daily brisk walk. As the Director of the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Ilagan, I have witnessed his love and concern for the poor and the oppressed. He lived a simple life. He is the type of man who will give his last centavo to those in need. He uses cheaper "subic" second hand vehicles rather than buy brand new expensive vehicles like those used by other politicians. His political rivals who never got even a third of the number of his votes concocted lots of issues against him but they never had the balls to bring him to court for such malicious allegations.
More than relatives, we became the best of friends. He would always seek my advices on things that pertain to social justice. I felt flattered having been always consulted by such a great man. When I left for my doctoral studies in Rome, he continued to serve the poor and the oppressed. He is not the perfect politician but he can very well be the best mayor Isabela ever had.
He was brutally murdered. He was alone, unarmed and unable to defend himself. Only cowards would do such thing! I join his family, friends and constituents in demanding justice!
He was buried this morning in Ilagan, Isabela (I was informed that thousands came to bid their last farewell to him).
Goodbye My Dear Uncle, My Dear Friend, Man of the Masses. With God on your side, justice will prevail!!!
G.C. UANAN
06 July 2006
8 comments:
Sana naman mabigyan na ng hustisya ang karimarimarim na pagpatay kay Mayor Jojo. Tatlo lang naman ang puwedeng gumawa nyan sa kanya: 1) Si other woman o ang asawa ni other woman; 2) Ang Tatay ng Drug Addict; 3) Illegal Logger at Politiko na tga Ilagan din.
Bayani si jojo pati mga ita nasa libing nya kulang kulang sampung libong katao naroon at maraming pari din.
Si Jun Cruz, matindi rin ang galit kay Jojo lalo na nung nahuli ang mga heavy equipment nya for illegall logging.
We are crying for justice!!! Someone had him killed so the Albano's will not run for Governor because Ilagan is a strategic and vote rich town.
Pads,
NAkikiramay kame sa inyong mga kapamilya ni Mayor Albano. Sana ay mabigyan na ng hustisya ang karumaldumal na pagkamatay nya. Isa syang bayani in his own ways.
May isa pang suspek...tisoy ito na gun runner. Baka sya pa nga ang gunman. Matindi ang galit nya kay Jo.
IT IS ALMOST A MONTH NOW. WALA PA RIN NANGYAYARI SA IMBESTIGASYON. TSK TSK TSK. SANA THEY WILL NOT RESORT TO SALVAGING NA LANG.
Eto isang update article from Daily tribune July 29 (http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/20060729nat2.html)
Police train suspicion on cop in Isabela mayor�s slay
by Ted Boehnert and Jun P. Yap
07/29/2006
After earlier suspecting a young business scion of being behind the killing of Ilagan town, Isabela province Mayor Delfinito Albano last month, police in Isabela are also considering the possibility that a fellow police officer may have actually masterminded the crime.
The police, though, said they believe the motive for the murder of Albano was revenge.
Albano, 48, half-brother of Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Rodolfo Albano, was gunned down by three ski-mask-wearing gunmen in Quezon City last June 27.
A high-ranking police officer in Isabela, who asked for anonymity, said the revenge angle was arrived at based on rumors that circulated saying the police official discovered that Albano and his wife were having an affair.
Investigators initially raised at least four motives in the case � political, business, personal and love triangle. Now they are training their probe on the love triangle angle in the mayor�s slay.
The same high-ranking police official, whose men has a direct role in the investigation, earlier said information they obtained in their investigation pointed to the scion of a wealthy and influential family who is known to be a gun aficionado as the one behind the murder of Albano.
The police official, who stressed that both suspects have the financial capacity to afford owning a US-made MP-5 assault rifle used in shooting Albano to death, said the police are keeping a close watch on both suspects.
He said they have already tapped other concerned agencies to look out for the movements of the two and also asked the Bureau of Immigration to prevent them leaving the country.
He further said that according to their findings in their investigation, among the last to have called Albano on the phone was a woman, who could have been the wife of one of the two suspects.
Albano was allegedly shot 23 times on the lower torso, particularly around the groin area, which made police investigators believe that the assailant bore deep-seated anger against the local chief executive.
The Albano family has said that they were not inclined to resort to vendetta on those responsible for the murder of the mayor...
Post a Comment