by Miriam G. Desacada
VillabaLeyte– 3rd district Representative Anna Victoria Tuazon, nee Veloso, had sought the help of the national government by creating a Special Task Force (STF) to investigate into, and resolve the series of violence and shootings in her district.
Anna, daughter of former representative of the same district, Vicente “Ching” Veloso, wrote to the Department of Justice and other government agencies asking the formation of the STF, which will look into the shootings that have killed several barangay officials and civilians, specifically in the towns of Leyte, Calubian, San Isidro, Tabango, and Villaba.
The female legislator said she wants these violent incidents in her district that threatens the lives and security of her constituents in the district, be stopped. And that she wished that peace and order shall rule the place again.
“We need the DOJ and the DILG to swiftly assemble and coordinate an inter-agency team to strategically work with local law enforcements in the investigation, intelligence-gathering, and immediate prosecution of the perpetrators and end this atmosphere of lawlessmess, violence, and killing with impunity,” Tuazon stated in her letter.
Tuazon said she saw these violent incidents a cause for grave concern considering that, within a week only, from February 20 to 24, at least five barangay officials were killed in different towns of the 3rd district of Leyte.
Also, from May 2022 to February 2024, a total of 29 shooting incidents in the district have been recorded and, out of the 46 persons involved, 33 were killed, nine of who were barangay officials and four others were wounded.
“Our communities in the 3rd district of Leyte are deeply traumatized by the deaths, violence and bloodshed that seem to be escalating without hope of an expedient, strategic and decisive resolution in sight,” lamented the congresswoman.
Tuazon further called on the national government for unity and cooperation to achieve an immediate solution to the shooting and killing incidents.
“Please help us rally for national government support in collaborating with our local police force to exact accountability and ensure that justice is meted out swiftly,” added Tuazon.
Based on PNP records, the crime volume in the district totaled 217 in 2022, and 205 last year.
Among the national government officials that Tuazon contacted were DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
She told them: “Please help us restore peace in the 3rd district of Leyte, so we can continue to carry out President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s economic transformation agenda through community development interventions, value chain linkages, social assistance program—all to help our people feel safe, seen, heard, respected and secure enough to thrive.”
Abalos, together with PNP Chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr, are scheduled to visit this Saturday, Leyte’s 3rd district, particularly San Isidro town, relative to their task of resolving the peace and order problems plaguing the district, according to the congresswoman. —-Miriam G. Desacada