Mayor Ernesto Reyes  ofGuihulngan City in Negros Oriental has requested for a police escort afterreceiving  serious death threats  over  an alleged unequal distribution of relief goods toearthquake victims.

PNP provincial director  Sr.  Supt. Edward Carranza has instructed the chief of police,  Senior Insp.  Alvin Futalan to assign  two police escort toReyes. Thepolice escorts will secure the mayor during his activities especially during distribution of relief goods  in far-flung areas in Guihulngan.

Carranza said it is their  duty to respond  to the request of the mayor, being a public official.

He added  that the death threats on the mayor  came afterreports came out  that  Reyes was hoarding the relief goods and  that he only gives  relief goods to his political supporters.

Reports  in the social networking sites also said  that people in Guihulngan are begging for food and water,  because the mayor is allegedly playing politics in the distribution of relief goods.

Carranza said  they will ask  Reyes to be extra careful during his activities, especially  in going to secluded areas where security might be at risk.

He said he  also believes that the criticism and negative attacks against the mayor  are  part of the situation,  since the people in Guihulngan are still dependent on relief aid.

Reyes admitted in an interview that all relief goods are stored in his residence for proper documentation and distribution. He added that he wanted to personally distribute the relief goods,  because he wants  his people to see that their mayor is concerned.

He  denied the allegations that he is playing politics in the distribution of relief goods as these  arebeing  given to the earthquake victims.

 Reyes also said  the death threats and the criticism cannot stop him from serving the people of his town.*MA

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