SDS Dong Gonzales cautions public against spreading threats of political or electoral violence

House Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. today cautioned his province mates and the public against spreading threats of political or electoral violence.

Gonzales made the appeal after reading a social media post about an alleged statement from businessman Rodolfo “Bong” Pineda, patriarch of the Pineda political family in Pampanga, supposedly threatening to inflict physical harm on him.

The Senior Deputy Speaker expressed disbelief over the supposed threat.

“Hindi ako makapaniwala at hindi ako naniniwala na masasabi at magagawa sa akin ni Mr. Bong Pineda ‘yun. Marahil, may sektor o indibidwal na gustong gumawa ng gulo. Iniintriga kami at gusto kaming pagsabungin. Pero, malayong mangyari ‘yan,” he said.

Cong. Dong said he and the Pinedas are not political enemies. “Hindi naman kami magka-away. Hindi ako nakikialam sa ibang distrito. Marami kaming inaasikaso sa Tersera Distritu. Duon lang kami naka-focus at sa pagtulong sa iba nating kababayan. Nagpapasalamat ako at ang aking pamilya sa aming mga ka-distrito sa patuloy na suporta nila sa amin,” he said.

The alleged Pineda statement was uttered during a meeting with barangay chairpersons from Mexico town. The meeting reportedly took place on Easter Sunday at Pradera resort in Lubao town.

Gonzales appealed to his fellow Kapampangans to avoid spreading information that may turn out to be untrue, whether online or in any manner. His appeal is consistent with his call a few days ago on concerned government agencies to protect voters and the people in general from disinformation and misinformation.