Rizal mayor gets death threat with black ribbon

Suspended Rodriguez, Rizal mayor Pedro Cuerpo on Saturday bared recent death threats that he had been receiving, and claimed that it was connected to his gubernatorial bid. In a press conference in Quezon City, Cuerpo said the new death threats were contained in a letter that arrived on his doorstep by postal mail on April 19 and 20. The letter, which came with a black ribbon, accused him of being a supporter of the communist-led New People's Army. The letter also branded as "communists rebels" Leftist senatorial bets Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza, as well as progressive party-list groups like Katribu, Kabataan, and Gabriela. "Aming ipinararating ang 'itim na laso' kalakip ng liham na ito na magbibigay babala na ang iyong buhay gayundin ang sa pamilya mo ay hiram lamang," the letter read. (We are sending you a black ribbon attached to this letter, to give warning that your life and those of your family are just borrowed.) The letter made its deadly point unmistakeable by ending with the words: "Sumalangit nawa ang inyong kaluluwa (May your souls go to heaven)." Cuerpo said he had started receiving death threats as early as late last year, around the time he filed his certificate of candidacy, but he just ignored them. "Pero ngayon kasi, medyo family ko na ang nasa sulat (But now, even my family is mentioned in the letter)," he said. Cuerpo said he has an idea of who could be behind the death threats but refused to identify anyone. "Kung sinoman ang magiging benipisyaryo sa halalang ito, sila ang may kinalaman. Ayoko lang sabihin, pero alam niyo naman kung sino ang may dahilan (Whoever would benefit in this election, they’re involved. I won’t mention who, but everyone knows who is behind all these)," he said. Earlier, the partylist groups identified in the letter also said they received death threats. (See: These groups have accused the military and police of harassment and black propaganda) While the militant groups are accusing the military and the police to be behind the death threats, Cuerpo is saying otherwise. "Parang rightist ang may gawa, pero (It seems like rightists are behind this, but) I don't believe it's the military," Cuerpo said. Cuerpo denied any ties with the NPA or with any of the senatorial bets and partylist groups mentioned in the letter. Cuerpo is running for Rizal governor against the incumbent, Casimiro Ynares III. The two have had a history of territorial disputes, with a recent one involving a squabble over who should control landfills in Rodriguez town (former Montalban). Cuerpo was suspended over the demolition of temporary shelters and tents of several families in Bgy. Burgos, Rodriguez between August 2002 and October 2003. Despite the death threats against Cuerpo, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has rejected his request for additional security in the upcoming polls. The suspended mayor said he needed more security aides from the police or military, since civilian volunteers serving his security now were simply not enough. The Comelec likewise refused to place Rizal under its control, saying that the degree of violence in the province did not warrant a Comelec takeover, according to Cuerpo.—JV, GMANews.TV