Former vice mayor of El Nido shot dead
By Eliseo Valendez
FORMER EL NIDO Vice Mayor Edwin Vidal died after suffering three gunshot wounds from unknown gunmen who entered his home in El Nido town at around 3 o’clock in the morning last August 21.
His wife, municipal councilor Julieta Vidal, survived a gunshot wound and was recuperating at the Taytay District Hospital as of press time.
Gov. Joel Reyes immediately instructed the Provincial Philippine National Police to conduct immediate investigation on the case.
Businessman Ernesto Fernandez, who has announced plans to run for mayor of El Nido next year, said the killing is “politically motivated.”
He said Vidal was supposed to be his running mate for El Nido. “One possible reason (for the crime) ay para matakot ako,” he said, but added that the killing made him more eager to run.
Fernandez asserted, “Walang kaaway, walang negosyo, walang babae, at walang pera ang taong ito.”
He said Vidal’s murder was a “professional way of killing” done by a hitman. An informant had told him two months ago that a certain “political person” had threatened his camp, Fernandez said.
However, El Nido Mayor Edna Lim said, “wala po akong nakikitang political motivation.”
“Bakit ngayon pa at hindi noong kasikatan pa niya?” Lim asked.
He was the Secretary for the Sangguniang Bayan from Aug. 1, 1979 to Dec. 31, 1981 and the municipal Budget Officer from Jan. 1982 to April 30, 1986.
Vidal served as councilor from Feb. 18, 1988 to March 30, 1992 and Vice Mayor from 1992 to 2001.
Mayor Lim said the municipal government would offer reward money to anybody who could give information that would lead to solving the crime. The municipal council has yet to convene and discuss the exact amount of the reward, Lim said.
“Ayaw kong masira ang image ng El Nido dahil sa krimeng ito,” Lim stressed.
She asked the tourists “not to fear” the town because of the incident, saying El Nido’s residents are a peace-loving people.
Responding to the residents’ request for additional electricity service, which only runs from 1 pm to 12 midnight, the council has passed a resolution requesting the extension of operating hours.
Lim said electricity now runs from 5 pm to 5 am beginning Aug. 21.
Vidal’s remains were transferred from Taytay to El Nido last Aug. 22 for the wake in their house in the town’s poblacion. Vidal’s son John Rustom said they are yet to schedule his father’s interment.
FORMER EL NIDO Vice Mayor Edwin Vidal died after suffering three gunshot wounds from unknown gunmen who entered his home in El Nido town at around 3 o’clock in the morning last August 21.
His wife, municipal councilor Julieta Vidal, survived a gunshot wound and was recuperating at the Taytay District Hospital as of press time.
Gov. Joel Reyes immediately instructed the Provincial Philippine National Police to conduct immediate investigation on the case.
Businessman Ernesto Fernandez, who has announced plans to run for mayor of El Nido next year, said the killing is “politically motivated.”
He said Vidal was supposed to be his running mate for El Nido. “One possible reason (for the crime) ay para matakot ako,” he said, but added that the killing made him more eager to run.
Fernandez asserted, “Walang kaaway, walang negosyo, walang babae, at walang pera ang taong ito.”
He said Vidal’s murder was a “professional way of killing” done by a hitman. An informant had told him two months ago that a certain “political person” had threatened his camp, Fernandez said.
However, El Nido Mayor Edna Lim said, “wala po akong nakikitang political motivation.”
“Bakit ngayon pa at hindi noong kasikatan pa niya?” Lim asked.
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Vidal, 51, served the municipal government from 1979 to 2001.He was the Secretary for the Sangguniang Bayan from Aug. 1, 1979 to Dec. 31, 1981 and the municipal Budget Officer from Jan. 1982 to April 30, 1986.
Vidal served as councilor from Feb. 18, 1988 to March 30, 1992 and Vice Mayor from 1992 to 2001.
Mayor Lim said the municipal government would offer reward money to anybody who could give information that would lead to solving the crime. The municipal council has yet to convene and discuss the exact amount of the reward, Lim said.
“Ayaw kong masira ang image ng El Nido dahil sa krimeng ito,” Lim stressed.
She asked the tourists “not to fear” the town because of the incident, saying El Nido’s residents are a peace-loving people.
Responding to the residents’ request for additional electricity service, which only runs from 1 pm to 12 midnight, the council has passed a resolution requesting the extension of operating hours.
Lim said electricity now runs from 5 pm to 5 am beginning Aug. 21.
Vidal’s remains were transferred from Taytay to El Nido last Aug. 22 for the wake in their house in the town’s poblacion. Vidal’s son John Rustom said they are yet to schedule his father’s interment.
posted by Bandillo ng Palawan @ 7:13 PM
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