Sagunto Star

Another Saguntonian, Mrs. Anatalia Adang-as Abenoja, also passed away this past week. She was the sister of Apo Martin who owns the store that is one of Sagunto’s landmarks; and of vice chieftain Romeo Adang-as.

Photos courtesy of LAnudon.

The following photos were taken at Jonathan’s wake.

Jonathan Gomez
March 7, 1976 - July 5, 2009

Photos courtesy of LAnundon.

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Jonathan Gomez Shot in Bantay Insik
SISON FLAGS AT HALF MAST

By: Loejan S. Anudon

The municipality of Sison mourns the untimely death of a young policeman, PO2 Jonathan B. Gomez, who was brutally killed in Bantay Insik in the presence of his twelve year old son, Apollo, along with two cousins.

The Sison Police Department is mourning the loss of their friend and colleague. According to Police Chief Inspector Rodolfo D. Castro, Nathan was a promising officer who had earned and refused a promotion in the department as he wanted to concentrate on a business for the betterment of his family. He says of Nathan, “Tuwing may mga kailangan ang mga pulis, siya tumutulong” (Everytime his fellow officers needed anything he was always there to help).

Nathan, as he is commonly known in the barangay and by his peers, is thirty three years old at the time of his death and left behind his son, mother, brother, sister and a whole barangay full of relatives.

He is the second among three children; Myra, the eldest; and Arlan, the youngest. His mother, Mrs. Arsenia B. Gomez, a former school teacher at Artacho National High School, is still in the U.S. as of this writing but is now in a hurried pace to go home to be with her dearly loved son before bringing him to his final resting place in Barangay Agat New Cemetery. The date and time of interment is not yet set due to some consultations and decisions that are still to be made by his family.

Investigations conducted by the police revealed that the suspect, Leo Delgado, of Bantay Insik is the victim’s kumpadre. Prior to the incident, the suspect invited Nathan for a feast but Nathan didn’t want to go alone . He tried to persuade his niece, Mae, and younger brother, Arlan and wife, to come with him but they declined because it might take them long and there is work the following day being Monday. Instead, he brought along with him four children: Diana, the daughter of Arlan and Clara; Janjan, Son of Myra, Balong Dumal-is; and his own son, Apollo.

There was merriment and everyone was enjoying the party. When the grownups ran out of liquor, the suspect ordered his wife to go and buy more but the wife refused. The snub embarrassed the suspect and a quarrel between the latter and his wife ensued. His instincts as police impelled Nathan to appease the two and also took the opportunity to say he is leaving because it is already ten o’clock in the evening and the children with him have classes to attend the following day. This further aggravated  the suspect who ran to his van to get his hidden firearm and shot Nathan in the head three times. The first shot may not have been  fatal as Nathan was still able to command Balong, the oldest among the three children, to take Diana, Janjan and Apollo to safety. After the shooting, the suspect jumped on his motorbike and fled.

Immediately upon hearing the news, Arlan Gomez went to Kagawad Angel E. Castillo for assistance. On board the Kagawad’s car, they were in Sitio Caalvarezan in Esperanza when they spotted Apollo and the other two children who were terribly worn out and still in extreme terror.When they arrived back in Bantay Insik, Nathan’s body was still sprawled on the ground, rigor mortis starting to set in.

Witnesses claim to hearing three shots but police recovered six empty shells. After the shooting, the suspect threw his gun in the rice field but someone saw him do it and so the police were able to recover the murder weapon.

Nathan’s body was taken to the Emergency Hospital in Rosario, La Union but they declined to do the autopsy claiming that it is not within their jurisdiction. His body was then returned to the Pallada Funeral Home in Pozorrubio where municipal doctor, Dr. Maria Fe B. Lagmay performed the autopsy the following day.

Reports now confirm that the suspect surrendered in Manila but strongly requested not to be turned over to Sison PNP. He is now detained in Lingayen jail and has been charged with murder with use of unlicensed firearm.

MANILA, Philippines—A policeman in Pangasinan province was shot dead by his supposed business partner past midnight Monday, police said on Tuesday.

The suspect, identified as Alfonzo Leo Delgado, invited Police Officer 2 Jonathan Gomez and his family to his home in the village of Bantay Insik in Sison town for a family gathering, a report from Ilocos region police said.

But at around 12:10 a.m., Delgado, who was allegedly intoxicated, suddenly shot Gomez several times before fleeing.

Gomez was rushed to the nearest hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Recovered from the crime scene were one caliber .45 pistol and six empty shells.

Source: Inquirer.net

Nathan is the second son of the late Orlando Gomez and Arsenia Baiguen Gomez of Sagunto. As the article stated, Nathan was at the event with his family who unfortunately witnessed his senseless murder.

Our condolence prayers go out to the Gomez & Baiguen families and their friends who are devastated by this news.

We will post more information here as we receive them.