ILOILO — Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. on Monday called for restraint and respect for the wishes of the bereaved family as police continue standard investigations into the death of Dueñas vice mayor Aimme Paz Lamasan, dismissing speculation surrounding the incident and declining to engage claims aired without evidence.
“Very unfortunate.” This was Defensor’s reaction to the death of Lamasan as he extended condolences on behalf of the provincial government and the people of Iloilo.
“Naga-unong kita upod ang Iloilo provincial government and in behalf of the people of the province sa pagtaliwan ni Vice Mayor Aimee,” Defensor said in an interview with members of the media after the flag-raising ceremony on Monday morning, January 5, at the Iloilo provincial capitol grounds.
Asked whether he believed the incident was an accident — particularly as the family declined an autopsy and Lamasan’s partner, Lord Byron Torrecarion, had yet to comply with authorities’ request for a paraffin test as of this writing — Defensor replied, “Yes that is what… let us respect the pronouncement especially I think that comes from the family.”
Defensor explained that the ongoing investigation being conducted by the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) and Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), including the creation of a Special Investigation Team to focus on the case, is part of standard operating procedures and not a response to speculation.
“May standard operating procedures kita sa investigation, amo gid man na ‘ya ginahimu. Let us respect the procedure,” the governor added, noting that the probe has been left to the ICPO, which he said knows its job.
When asked to react to statements by suspended Cavite 4th District congressman Kiko Barzaga, who publicly suggested — without presenting evidence — that Lamasan’s death may be linked to alleged flood control anomalies in Iloilo, Defensor said, “No, I will not react on that.”/PN
