MBTF COMFORTS FAMILY OF 5-YEAR OLD VICTIM OF DRUG WAR

DAGUPAN CITY – Mayor Belen T. Fernandez comforted the family of Danica Mae Garcia, the five-year old girl who was killed on August 23 by the bullet fired by armed men that was meant for her grandfather, when she visited the Garcias at their residence in Sitio Kamanggaan, Barangay Mayombo on August 25 in a show of sympathy and condemnation to the dastardly killing.

“We deeply sympathize with the family of Danica Mae. It is unfortunate that an innocent life was lost due to drugs. We have always valued the sanctity of life, that is why we set up a Rehab Desk at the City Action Service Team (CAST) office to accommodate drug victims who wish to undergo rehabilitation and help them renew their lives", said Fernandez.

She said the city also launched its anti-drug text line so it could reach out those who had been into illegal drugs and extend assistance to them so that they can recover from their vices and start a new life.

During the “Kapihan at Salo-salo” of Breakfast Club Incorporated at the President’s Hotel in Lingayen, Pangasinan on August 25, Fernandez disclosed that the police under the stewardship of P/Superintendent Neil O. Miro are now ascertaining the identity of the perpetrators. There was a report that a witness came face to face with one of the suspects in that incident.

Fernandez expressed confidence that in due time, the investigation being conducted by the police will yield a positive result and finally unmask the identities of the suspects as she expressed hopes that the unfortunate incident will be the last.

Reports indicate that the supposed target of the gunmen was Danica’s grandfather Maximo Garcia who already surrendered to the police three days before the incident after he was informed that he is in the drug watchlist of the police.

At that time, Danica was in the bathroom at their residence, taking a bath. She sustained one gunshot wound in the face and was rushed to the Villaflor Hospital where she was declared dead on arrival.

The elder Garcia sustained a gunshot wound in the stomach and is now recuperating in an undisclosed hospital under the tight watch of the police.

To date, 813 drug personalities already surrendered to the police; 670 were arrested in police buy-bust operations from 2014 to August 22, 2016; and 442 of them are now facing criminal cases in court for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (Joseph C. Bacani/CIO/Aug. 25, 2016)