CONTRACTOR SERIOUSLY HURT IN NEGROS ORIENTAL AMBUSH; PALACE CONDEMNS ATTACK, ORDERS PROBE

MALACAÑANG denounced the murder attempt on a contractor in Negros Oriental last Wednesday amid the investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control-related projects.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. tasked the Philippine National Police (PNP) to heighten peace and order measures.

“Tama lang po na imbestigahan iyan para malaman natin ang puno’t dulo niya at kinukondena natin ang mga karahasan na ito,” Castro said in press briefing in Malacañang on Friday.

A contractor was critically wounded after being shot by yet unidentified motorcycle-riding suspects on a highway in Santa Catalina town, Negros Oriental, on Aug. 27.

The victim was on his way to a quarry site in Bgy. San Francisco when he was ambushed by the suspects. He suffered four gunshot wounds.

The police investigation into the assassination attempt is ongoing.

Amid the continuing probe, Castro reiterated that President Marcos intends to hold accountable those involved in anomalous flood control-related projects.

“Alam naman natin kung ano ang nais ng Pangulo – makasuhan ang dapat makasuhan, mapanagot ang dapat na mapanagot,” Castro said.

“At ipag-uutos pa rin ng Pangulo na dapat seryosohin ito lalo na ng mga PNP para maiwasan kung anumang krimen ang maidudulot nito kaugnay sa pag-iimbestiga sa flood control projects,” Castro added.

Meanwhile, Malacañang welcomed the public’s active involvement in combating corruption by reporting substandard or non-existent flood control projects on the Sumbong sa Pangulo website, as well as exposing the luxurious lifestyles of contractors and their relatives.

“Hindi lamang po ang gobyerno, ang pamahalaan ang dapat kumilos kung hindi ang taumbayan na nakakaalam ng mga nangyayari sa paligid nila. So, mas maganda po talagang isumbong nila sa Pangulo itong mga ganitong klaseng insidente at kondisyon,” Castro said.