Veloso- Tuazon
TACLOBAN CITY – Leyte Representative Anna Victoria Veloso- Tuazon has condemned the recent killing of Barangay Captain Mary Ann Orillano of Mataloto, Leyte, calling for swift justice for her family and community.
In a statement, Veloso- Tuazon expressed deep sorrow and outrage over the incident, highlighting how Orillano’s death has left her young child orphaned and the village without a dedicated leader.
“By what authority does one arrogate upon himself the decision to forfeit a life, as if another person’s life were less valuable than others?” Veloso-Tuazon remarked, underscoring the senselessness of the killing.
She noted that Orillano’s murder reflects a troubling trend of escalating violence in Leyte’s third district, adding, “As if our district has not seen enough horror and bloodshed, as if we are not traumatized enough from losing loved ones and colleagues in service.”
Orillano, known to be a political ally of Tuazon, was ambushed and killed by an unidentified assailant on October 24 while on her way home to Mataloto.
The lawmaker has echoed calls for increased security across the district, urging the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to honor their commitment to protect barangay officials, many of whom face significant risks in their roles.
Leyte Provincial Police Director Colonel Apas confirmed that police teams have been deployed to investigate the crime, while former congressman Vicente Veloso also expressed his commitment to the case.
“I will not stop until justice is served to her. I will spend the rest of my life defending justice,” Veloso said. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
