Duranos dare Frasco: File case, show evidence

CEBU, Philippines —  The Duranos of Danao City have condemned the statement of Fifth District Rep. Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco alleging that politics was behind the recent burning of a truck Frasco donated to a town in Camotes.

A joint statement was released by BAKUD Party chairman emeritus and Danao Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III, and sons, former congressmen Ramon “Red” Durano IV and Ace Durano, who also sit as the party’s president and vice president, respectively.

In the statement, the party called out Frasco for his “desperate attempt to paint the incident politically.” It then pointed a finger back at the congressman by alleging the latter himself could be behind the supposed sabotage.

“He has gone to the extent of burning (not literal, hopefully) bridges just to be able to cry persecution when, the people of the district know very well, that the ‘persecuted’ is allegedly the saboteur himself,” the statement read.

BAKUD said that instead of accusing his political nemesis, Frasco should conduct an investigation.

“We are as interested, as much as he is, in finding the truth and we put it to the capable hands of those in authority. We refuse to be part of this trial by publicity, and we challenge those who made these accusations to press charges, present bullet-proof evidence to support your allegations,” the statement read.

Last Friday, January 17, Frasco released a statement on his multiple Facebook pages decrying the burning of a personally donated truck for the four municipalities of the Camotes Islands.

Frasco's camp said residents riding motorcycles saw the truck burning at 1 a.m. and immediately alerted residents in Brgy. Unidos, San Francisco town where the vehicle was parked.

The front exterior of the truck was partially burned.

The congressman pointed out that the burning conveniently leads to the deletion of the words “Duke Frasco, Paglaum sa Kinto” printed on the vehicle.

In his post, Frasco alluded that the incident was politically-motivated by writing:

“And so, while they continue with their age-old tactics of violence and fear, we will continue the change we have started.”

Prior to Frasco's victory last year against Red Durano as congressman of the district, the Duranos had reigned there for almost 70 years.

Red’s camp had filed an electoral protest alleging “fluctuations of the PCOS machines that caused a four-hour delay” in the conduct of the elections. JMD (FREEMAN)