Neophyte Mayor Raisa Treñas is facing backlash after publicly declaring that her administration would extend help to the family of a robbery suspect who recently victimized the wife of a retired police officer.
The controversy stemmed from a now-deleted statement Treñas released on social media following the arrest of a man identified as alias “Fil-Am.” The suspect allegedly held Dr. Maria Lulu Divinah Salinas at gunpoint in a mall parking lot on September 3. She was accompanied at the time by her husband, retired Police Colonel Cornelio Salinas Jr., former provincial police chief.
“Oh my God!” exclaimed the visibly upset Salinas after the incident, which left his wife traumatized.
Treñas, however, drew public outrage when she wrote: “Buligan naton ang pamilya sang suspek, ilabi na iya asawa maka-recover sa trauma (Let’s help the family of the suspect, especially his wife, recover from the trauma).”
Adding fuel to the criticism, the mayor and her husband visited the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) on September 4 after the suspect’s arrest. Her official Facebook page posted photos of her with city police chief Col. Kim Legada, as well as pictures showing her embracing what appeared to be family members of the suspect. The photos have since been removed.
Many Ilonggos expressed dismay, saying her actions sent the wrong signal. “Wrong. Very wrong,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “First time in my life I heard that the government will help the suspect’s family.”
With criticism mounting, Treñas issued a follow-up statement on September 7, saying the city government would continue to provide support where necessary, including referring the suspect’s minor child to mental health programs for psychosocial care.
Meanwhile, robbery charges have been filed against the 39-year-old suspect.
