Cagayan Mayor shooting incident connected to illegal miningby Russell Jay M. Manglicmot
Gonzaga, Cagayan Mayor Carlito Fidel Pentecostes was shot dead on Monday morning by unknown men during the flag ceremony in front of the Municipal Hall. According to PO3 Agustin of Gonzaga Police Station, eight unknown men in military uniform pointed a long gun to PO3 Orteza and PO2 Sistoza, commanded them to drop and tied them, and took their short firearms. Then, the unknown men shot Pentecostes in the body, causing his instant death. The suspects then yelled in Ilocano,”Pasensya na kayo, Sir. Wala kayong kasalanan, Si Mayor lang ang may kasalanan (Our apologies, Sir. It’s the mayor’s fault, not yours.) Suspects then fled using PNP patrol car as getaway vehicle and went straight along the streets of Barangay Iska, Gonzaga, Cagayan. Illegal mining is the primary motive of the shooting incident, as the suspects spread leaflets saying “Justice for all, punish the brains of the illegal mining operations by foreigners in Cagayan.” The province is known for the illegal black sand mining that citizens are combatting for 45 years now. |