Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr. (Facebook)

House Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. has asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to help ensure a level playing field for local election bets in Pampanga amid series of political killings there.

The Pampanga 3rd district congressman made this appeal Monday, Jan. 20 during the hearing of the Committee on Public Order and Safety chaired by Santa Rosa City lone district Rep. Dan Fernandez on the topic of the killings. 

“Sana po, itong darating na halalan, matahimik po ang siyudad ng San Fernando at ang buong lalawigan because Pampanga is the heart of Central Luzon,” Gonzales said.

(Hopefully in these coming elections, peace would reign in the city of San Fernando and in the entire province because Pampanga is the heart of Central Luzon.)

“Ito lang po ang hinihingi namin sa ating kapulisan at sa Comelec, na sana walang mangyayaring karahasan, lalo na po sa ating mga barangay captain, kawawa po ang mga familya nila. Sana maging fair ang laban,” he noted.

(This is our sole request to the police force and Comelec, that our people especially our barangay captains be spared from violence, may you pity their families. I hope it becomes a fair fight.)

Referring to the mid-term polls on May 12, the high-ranking congressman said, "We just want a level playing field."

"Hayaan po natin na ang taong bayan, ang aming mga kalalawigan, ang magdesisyon kung sino ang dapat mamuno sa probinsiya, sa distrito, sa siyudad ng San Fernando at sa 21 na bayan ng Pampanga,” Gonzales stressed.

(Let's leave it to the people, our province-mates, to decide on who must lead the province, the districts, the city of San Fernando and the 21 municipalities of Pampanga.)

Addressing community leaders who attended the hearing, Gonzales said: “Huwag po kayong matakot, mga barangay captain at barangay leaders. Nandiyan po si Gen. Fajardo at ang kapulisan. Definitely magiging tahimik ang ating eleksyon na darating at protektado po kayo.”

(Fear not, barangay captain and barangay leaders. Gen. Fajardo and the police force are there. Our elections will definitely be peaceful and you will be protected.)

He was referring to Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, former PNP spokesperson and the newly-designated PNP Regional Director for Central Luzon. 

In response to Gonzales’ appeal, Fajardo said PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil “has committed all our manpower and logistical resources to the Comelec to ensure safe, secure and credible elections".

“In areas of concern, the PNP chief has designated focal persons to defuse tensions among contending parties,” she said.

Fajardo assured Gonzales and other House members that as Region 3 Police Chief, she would do all she could to make the May elections in the region peaceful and impartial.

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Update on Pampanga killings

In her remarks at the hearing, Fajardo referred to the political killings that took place in Gonzales’ district between April 2022 and November 2024, which have remained unsolved.

“These senseless acts of violence are not just a disruption of public order but an attack on the foundations of governance and democracy. They demand justice, a thorough investigation and measure to restore public trust and safety,” she said.

She updated House members on the status of the cases. “To date, we have made substantial progress. One case is solved already after three suspects were arrested and criminal charges for frustrated murder were filed,” she said.

In four other cases, she said criminal complaints have been filed as well against suspects.

“Only one case remains pending…the investigator, in his capacity as nominal complainant is ready to file the case anytime,” she added.

Fajardo also thanked Gonzales “for his unwavering dedication and to the members of this honorable committee for your commitment to public safety.” 

“Together, we can ensure justice for the victims and a safer future for the third district of Pampanga,” she said.

Local officials led by San Fernando City Mayor Vilma Caluag likewise thanked the Fernandez committee for its inquiry, which they said promotes peace and order in the entire province, particularly in her city, which is the province’s capital.