By BEHN FER. HORTALEZA, JR

SAN CARLOS CITY — Long wails of anguish and shouts of anger among relatives and supporters of Mayor Julian V. Resuello rent the air here after news of the mayor’s death at St. Luke’s Hospital in Manila reached them.

Just minutes after the mayor breathed his last at the recovery room of the St. Luke’s Medical Center, around 7: 15 a.m. today, Monday, following an emergency operation on him, the news spread here quickly that he was not coming home alive.

Resuello’s body was due home here tomorrow morning after some final arrangements are made at the hospital and at a funeral parlor where he was to spend one night before the final trip to this city.

Thousands of his grieving kins and supporters have been waiting for his return, alive or dead, since he was flown by helicopter to Manila in critical condition. Prayer vigils have been mounted in homes and at the City Hall since Sunday.

Police authorities meanwhile are on their toes folowing up leads on the possible suspects to finally determine the motive, once any suspect is caught, and to prevent escalation of suspicions and possible flareup of new violence.

Two new contingents of the PNP Regional Mobile Group have been dispatched here to augmentthe local police force in keeping peace and order amid the very tense situation.

The camp of former Mayor Douglas Soriano who is running for city mayor against Vice Mayor Julier “Ayoy” Resuello, son of the slain mayor, expressed sadness and shock at the incident and called for sobriety among San Carlenians and for a speedy investigation and arrest of suspects by the police to “clear the air on this most unfortunate tragedy befalling our city.”

Soriano and his younger brother, Galant, who is running for congressman of the third district, are due to issue a press statement shortly.today.