ZAMBOANGA CITY – Mayor John Dalipe called on residents of this city to embody the life of former mayor Cesar Climaco who was slain while responding to a fire incident nearly four decades ago.
“May we embody the life principle of Cesar Climaco -- dedicated, firm, and with principle,” said Dalipe as he led the commemoration of the city’s beloved mayor’s 38th death anniversary known to Zamboangaños as ‘Dia de Cesar.’ A holy mass was held at the Sta. Maria Church prior to the ceremony.
On Sunday night, Dalipe and the JCi Zamboanga held a wreath-laying rites at the marker in the very site where he was assassinated while responding to a fire incident on November 14, 1984.
Mayor Cesar Climaco served as Zamboanga mayor for over three consecutive terms until he was gunned down by a still unknown assailant.
Aside from Mayor Dalipe, present during the wreath laying ceremony were Vice Mayor Josephine Pareja, the Climaco family members, JCI officers and representatives from the security sector.