PNP denies alleged assassination try vs. farmers’ party-list nominee

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday denied the allegation of MAGSASAKA Party-list that police officers attempted to assassinate its nominee Lejun dela Cruz.

“Wala pong katotohanan na (It is not true that there was an) assassination attempt against the life ni Mr. Dela Cruz,” PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing.

Fajardo said the authorities were just implementing an arrest warrant for murder against Dela Cruz but he tried to escape. According to Fajardo, Dela Cruz’s vehicle crashed into four vehicles and a motorcycle.

One police officer was admitted to the hospital after sustaining a fracture on his pelvis.

“On the contrary, siya pa po ang namutok at siya pa ang nanagasa. At ang pulis natin na sinagasaan naka-confine. May fracture siya sa pelvis dahil siya ay binangga nung accused po,” Fajardo said.

(On the contrary, he was the one who shot and crashed his car. Our policeman who was run over is confined. He has a fracture in his pelvis because he was hit by the accused.)

MAGSASAKA Party-list accused some PNP personnel of abducting and trying to assassinate its nominee on Sunday.

“In a brazen and alarming display of political violence, elements of the PNP attempted but failed to assassinate MAGSASAKA Party-list nominee Lejun Dela Cruz (Sunday),” the party-list said in a statement.

“Instead, Dela Cruz was illegally abducted, aggressively beaten, and is now being held in police custody under questionable circumstances,” it added.

MAGSASAKA Party-list general secretary and legal counsel Atty. General Du said Dela Cruz, a former leader of Alex Boncayao Brigade, was on his way home when a man approached and asked him about real estate.

“Noticing a bulge at the man's waist—suggesting he was armed—Dela Cruz became suspicious. His suspicions deepened when two motorcycle-riding men stopped nearby, also appearing to be armed," the party-list said.

“Sensing imminent danger, Dela Cruz started his vehicle—only to be met with a hail of gunfire from the unidentified gunmen,” it added.

Fajardo pointed out that Dela Cruz did not cooperate with police.

She added the police will file charges against Dela Cruz for alleged violation of the election gun ban, illegal possession of firearms, malicious mischief, and frustrated homicide.—AOL, GMA Integrated News

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