Vargas brods get death threats

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City District 5 Rep. Alfred Vargas revealed yesterday that he and his brother, District 5 Councilor Patrick Michael “PM” Vargas, received death threats from still unidentified persons.

In a statement, PM said a package bearing his name was delivered to their Novaliches District Center office.

The package “contained two M-16 bullets. It clearly shows the intention of the sender that they want to intimidate us and our families,” he stated in an affidavit he issued on the incident.

Alfred, who seeks to swap posts with his brother, said that prior to the campaign period, they were warned four times to withdraw from the race, with the promise that they would receive hundreds of millions of pesos should they do so.

“We will not waver, and we will not shirk no matter how these threats come our way,” he said. “We call on our family, friends and supporters to join us in keeping a vigilant stance against all forms of harassment, threats and fraud that may be employed by our adversaries.”

Alfred said PM’s first child was born last month and this is why the members of their family have been very conscious about security.

“Let’s stand behind PM in this fight. Let us all stand together to protect PM and District 5,” Alfred said.