The Liberal Party condemns the violent attacks that killed Calbayog Mayor Reynaldo Uy and seriously injured Samar Board Member Eunice Babalcon. It is too early to accuse anyone of the atrocity but the Liberal Party is looking at politics as the reason behind the crime. Uy and Babalcon are both members of the Party. They are being considered to run for Governor and Vice Governor in the upcoming recall elections in the province.
It is this kind of corrupt and violent politics that the Liberal Party is determined to eradicate. It is deplorable that some sectors continue to believe that the dirty tricks of old can keep them in power. Let those behind this deed be warned that the LP shall use all the powers at its disposal to seek justice for both Uy and Babalcon. It calls on the people, particularly those who witnessed the crime committed in Hinabangan or anyone who has a lead, to work with the authorities to find a solution to this case. The Party will not be cowed by the threats of brutality. It was never cowed when it was but a small opposition, it will not be cowed now.
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New People's Army condemns killing of Mayor Reynaldo Uy, a true friend of the people
The Arnulfo Ortiz Command of the New People's Army in Western Samar today extended its sympathies to the family and friends of Calbayog City Mayor Reynaldo Uy, and condemned his assassination last 1 May by those widely suspected to be his rivals in reactionary politics. "We are saddened at the killing of Mayor Reynaldo Uy," said Ka Vicente Magbuhat, AOC spokesperson. "His assassination by those believed to be his political rivals underscore the worsening crisis and rottenness of the reactionary ruling system.
"The contradictions between reactionary politicians are turning even more bitter and bloodier because there is no more room for mutual accommodation over the dwindling spoils of power."
Magbuhat recounted that Mayor Uy had started out in the service of the people as a physician and later as a politician. "Mayor Reynaldo Uy was a people's doctor who resisted the Marcos fascist dictatorship and served the peasants and other poor people in Samar in the early 1980s. After the 1986 EDSA Uprising, he became the officer-in-charge vice mayor of Calbayog City. He later joined the progressive Partido ng Bayan (People's Party) and ran successfully for public office."
Magbuhat also praised Uy for continuing to listen to the grievances of the people even after he rose to power as mayor and congressman. "In 2005, then Congressman Reynaldo Uy was instrumental in exposing and opposing the massive human rights violations of the fascist butcher Gen. Jovito Palparan, who was then chief of the 8th Infantry Division. He was also one of those who led the Eastern Visayas congressmen in successfully demanding the removal of Palparan from the region. Uy also strongly opposed large-scale foreign mining in Samar and the region."
The AOC spokesperson said that the people will always remember the good points of Mayor Reynaldo Uy. "His willingness to listen to the people and to take their side made him their true friend. The people mourns his loss and will surely expect other officials of the reactionary government to emulate his concern for their welfare."
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MAKABAYAN assails electoral violence in Samar mayor’s killing
THE MAKABAYAN Coalition of eight progressive parties led by Satur Ocampo assailed the cold-blooded murder last Saturday of Calbayog City Mayor Reynaldo Uy and the wounding of Samar Board Member Eunice Babalcon.
In a statement, Satur Ocampo said that Uy had been very supportive of the patriotic and progressive platform of Makabayan and its affiliates in Congress and the local government.
“In fact, as a congressman, he even denounced the extra-judicial killings of activists,” Ocampo added.
“It is a tragic loss. We condole with the family and friends of Mayor Uy as we wish Board Member Babalcon speedy recovery,” Ocampo said.
Uy was a former congressman of Samar’s first district and was planning to run for governor with Babalcon as his running mate. He supported a recall petition against Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan and her brother, Vice Gov. James Tan, which was found sufficient in form and substance by the Commission on Elections last January. Recall elections are to be set for Samar.
Makabayan further stated: “We view with grave concern this latest case of electoral violence and we call on the Aquino government for an independent probe on the matter. Even state security forces, the military and the police, should not be spared from the investigations. Our own experience bears out the complicity of government armed forces in such violence, such as in the case of the Ampatuan massacre and the extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearance of activists.”
“We hope that this violence would not escalate into a full-blown war between families as we all strive for unity in justice and progress,” Makabayan concluded.
