by Miriam G. Desacada
Tacloban City–The chairwoman of Barangay Mataloto of Leyte town in Leyte, while driving her motorcycle, was shot dead by riding-in-tandem gunmen at 5 p.m. yesterday at Barangay Bagaba-o in the same town.
The victim, Mary Ann “Emem” Bacunawa, sustained multiple gunshot wounds after the gunmen, on their own motorcycle, caught up with her and fired shots at her. She died on the spot.
Emem was known to belong to a group for reform in the 3rd district, and identified as a coordinator of Representative Anna Victoria Veloso-Tuazon, and former congressman Vicente “Ching” Veloso.
“Emem was a committed and hard-working barangay head. She always goes to our office to get projects for her barangay. She doesn’t deserve this. May justice swiftly serve to Emy,” said the Veloso camp, which further condemned the wild killings in the district.
Emem was the fifth barangay head killed blatantly, without provocation, since the early part of last year. Police investigation is now underway to resolve the Emem assassination.
It was learned that the killing of Emem came after criminal cases were filed in court against 4th district Rep. Richard Gomez, Tabango Mayor Benjo Remandaban, and CIDG officers in relation to the killing of a Veloso supporter in 2016.
The Emem killing also came after the court junked a petition of Emmanuel “Weng-weng” Veloso to dismiss a case against him in the killing of ex-municipal administrator Levi Mabini of San Isidro, Leyte.
Earlier, the Leyte Police Provincial Office deployed 106 policemen to augment the police manpower that has been securing Leyte’s 3rd district. —Miriam G. Desacada