A “big bang” would have literally greeted the New Year’s day of a barangay captain of Iloilo City had the alleged attempted assassination plot against him prospered.

Reynaldo Lorenzo of Brgy. Tanza-Timawa, City Proper district told police investigators that he was standing at the roadside with his son before noon of Tuesday when two motorcycle-riding men passed by.

The backrider allegedly pulled a handgun, presumably a caliber .45 pistol, he added.

But Chief Inspector Kim Legada, chief of Iloilo City Police Station 1, could not also fathom why the alleged “killers” backed down in gunning down Lorenzo.

He added that there have been other versions coming out.

In a radio interview, Brgy. Kagawad Leo Luces said that he was standing at the other side of the road and claimed to have seen what appeared to be a shotgun.

On the other hand, Lorenzo’s son allegedly said that he saw the backrider pull what looks like a machine pistol.

“For now, we are validating the report,” Legada said.

But prior to this, he said that there was no report of any assassination plot against Lorenzo.

There was also no clear motive why someone wanted Lorenzo killed except for politics.

“Daw may kinagamo da sila sa ila nga lugar parte sa pulitika,” he said.

Last September 2012, Lorenzo was complained for harassment along with his wife, Raquel, Romeo Lorenzo, Nonoy Gumban, Luces, and Jeffrey Celiz, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog’s former political liaison officer.

On the other hand, Lorenzo said that Luces told him that the village chief’s life is in danger according to information from their neighbours.

Known as an ally of Mabilog, Lorenzo said that the attempt was due to politics.

Earlier, Lorenzo said that he had a misunderstanding with his neighbours Celine and Arvin Fuentes that led to a filing of cases.

Lorenzo said the couple, identified as sub-contractor of former Liga President Irene Ong has filed a case of child abuse against him after he referred the Fuentes couple’s 17-year-old son to the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) for the teen’s alleged involvement in theft, vandalism and physical injuries, among others.

Lorenzo said he filed a counter charge against the couple for grave threat, oral defamation and resisting arrest which is now under review by the City Prosecutor’s Office.

He alleged that in preparation for the elections, the couple’s house is being used as headquarters as they are said to be barangay coordinators of another political group.*