The Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas denounced the alleged actions of Narra Mayor Gerandy Danao against Palawan ABC President and ex-officio Board Member Ferdinand Zaballa.
In a statement, the Liga emphasized that there is no place for any form of violence in the country—especially against duly elected barangay officials.
“The Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas strongly condemns the violence committed against President Ferdinand Zaballa, Vice President for Legislative Affairs of the National Liga ng mga Barangay. He was reportedly strngled using a wire while performing his official duties as Punong Barangay during a public barangay event, and was lucky to have survived the incident,” the statement read.
In addition to expressing thankfulness that Zaballa is safe, the Liga emphasized the ongoing dangers that barangay officials confront while carrying out their responsibilities.
It urged authorities to look into the tragedy and bring those responsible to justice.
“We call on law enforcement authorities to act swiftly and impartially in investigating this incident and in holding those responsible fully accountable. Violence must have no place in public service,” the Liga added.
Meanwhile, Mayor Danao’s camp quickly responded and questioned the Liga’s statement.
In an interview with Palawan News, Jojo Gastanes, his spokesperson and newly elected vice mayor of Narra, described the Liga’s condemnation statement as “exaggerated.”
“Kinokondena rin namin ‘yung kanilang condemnation kasi napaka-exaggerated naman nung aksyon. Maraming problema ang mga barangay na dapat pag-ukulan ng pansin at ‘yun ang dapat i-concentrate na nila. Wala namang masyadong nasaktan, wala namang naospital—so, small issue na pinapalaki lang para sa pulitika. Dapat ang Liga ng mga Barangay ay tumitindig doon sa interes ng kabuuan, hindi sa mga personal na interes ng tao,” said Gastanes.
Gastanes also pointed out that the Liga should focus more on issues like the upcoming Barangay and SK Elections in December and corruption within certain barangays.
Gastanes argued that the statement issued by the Liga served only the interests of certain politicians rather than the collective welfare of barangays. He said it set a bad example and appeared to condemn violence in a situation that, according to him, did not involve any.
He also described the incident as isolated, noting that no one was hospitalized for 10 days or injured by gunfire.
Mayor Danao, he stresses, is ready to address the issue in the proper forum and that they are in continued coordination with the mayor’s legal counsel.
