By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Bamban Acting Mayor Eraño Timbang has disclosed that he has been receiving death threats due to his opposition to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
“My life is quite difficult right now, especially since they suspect that I am the reason for the problems in our town, even though I just want to stand by the truth,” Timbang said during a radio interview on Thursday, August 15, 2024.
“We noticed something suspicious—people asking, ‘Does the councilor live here?’… Now, I’m fearful for my life… my situation has changed,” he added.
Timbang was cleared by the anti-graft committee about his opposition to the issuance of permits to POGOs.
This comes after authorities raided a POGO establishment in March on suspicion of human trafficking, leading to the suspension of nine other Bamban municipal councilors.
On Wednesday (14 Aug 2024), Timbang took his oath before Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos.
He was appointed as Acting Mayor following the Ombudsman’s dismissal of Bamban Mayor Alice Guo for grave misconduct.
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