Party list group hits alleged PNP slay try on nominee

The Magsasaka party list group accused the Philippine National Police on Monday of trying to assassinate Lejun dela Cruz, its third nominee for the May midterm elections. It also expressed concern for his safety after he was placed in police custody “where he could be abducted again or eliminated anytime.”

But the PNP denied the group’s claim, saying that police officers were trying to serve an arrest warrant for a 1992 murder case on Dela Cruz, a former member of the New People’s Army hit squad, the Alex Boncayao Brigade, when he opened fire and tried to run them down with his vehicle, hitting a policeman.

“There’s no truth to the claim of assassination attempt against Mr. Dela Cruz. On the contrary, he was the first to open fire, and ran over people. Our police personnel is now confined in a hospital and he suffered a fracture in his pelvis after he was hit by the accused,” PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said.

Magsasaka general secretary and legal counsel General Du told reporters that on Sunday, Dela Cruz was on his way home after visiting a friend in Cainta, Rizal, when he was approached by a man asking him about real estate.

Dela Cruz became suspicious when he noticed a bulge on the man’s waist and two other men nearby on a motorcycle who also appeared to be armed.

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He started his vehicle to escape, with the unidentified men opening fire. A chase ensued until his van reached a dead end street in Barangay Manggahan, Pasig City around noon.

“He started a commotion to get the attention of the people. Only then did the armed men in plainclothes identify themselves as officers of the Marikina police,” Du said, quoting Dela Cruz.