CLARIFYING earlier rumors about the shooting that involved Laoag City Mayor Michael V. Fariñas, city administrator and the mayor’s aunt, Gloria F. Peralta said the shooting was accidental and that Fariñas is fine. Peralta added that the mayor had taken a one-week medical leave and is currently confined at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City. The mayor’s aunt explained that Fariñas was earlier treated at the Governor Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital and was transferred to the Quezon City hospital to abet any infection that may occur on the mayor’s wound. According to Peralta, Fariñas was boarding his van when he stepped on an Armalite rifle on the vehicle’s floor. He was fixing the said firearm when it suddenly and accidentally fired, hitting him on the foot. As a result, two of the mayor’s toes were reportedly severed. The incident happened on November 3 just after the visit of Ms Katrina Ponce-Enrile and company. “Mapan idiay lugan na idi adda kanu masik-karud na ket idi ikkaten kuma idi ngem naglibang met diay paltogen nga isut adda idiay baba,” Peralta explained. Ilocos Norte Governor Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during his regular press briefing at the Capitol on November 8 said, “He must be careful. I hope he gets well soon. Hope he gets better quickly.” With the mayor’s emergency medical leave, Laoag Vice Mayor Marlon Wayne D. Manuel assumes the mayoralty post in an acting capacity while Councilor Yvonne B. Ranada temporary assumes the vice mayoralty post. Meanwhile, Ms Chevylle V. Fariñas stood in for her husband as guest speaker during the opening parade of the 2006 Palarong Pamasko on November 3. Dominic B. dela Cruz
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