Just over an hour after having attended the signing of the peace covenant at the San Fernando Cathedral on Wednesday afternoon, two village chiefs of Apalit town were ambushed along the Sto. Tomas-Minalin road by still unidentified armed men.
The two Apalit barangay captains were identified as Renato Pacia of Barangay Sampaloc and Nic Gardener of Barangay San Vicente. The two are now struggling for their lives at the Joe B. Lingad Hospital.
In a statement, Vice Governor Dennis Pineda condemned the ambush which happened after the signing of the peace covenant which the victims had attended at the San Fernando Cathedral.
“I condemn in the strongest term the ambush carried out on Barangay Captains Renato Pacia and Nic Gardener of Barangay Sampaloc and San Vicente in Apalit, Pampanga today, March 27,” said Pimeda.
“What is most deplorable and saddening is that the perpetrators attacked just after the signing of a peace covenant at the Metropolitan Cathedral among gubernatorial candidates. Barangay Captains Pacia and Gardener came to meet with me after the signing. Both are first termer officials. Apalit Mayoralty candidate Jun Tetangco, their friend, said the two do not have enemies or have intimated that they have been receiving threats whatsoever.
Barangay Captain Gardener was driving a Honda car, with Barangay Captain Pacia as passenger when the suspects, on board a black Fortuner, opened fire.
“As vice governor of Pampanga, I have requested the police to investigate the incident and bring the attackers behind bars. I have also asked the Commission on Elections to order the police to up their security efforts. I hope this incident does not diminish our trust in the electoral process.
“I also ask you to pray for the safety of Barangay Captains Pacia and Gardener as the two men are struggling for their lives.”