Election-related violence heats up further as May 14 approaches

By Ronron
April 24, 2007

In a span of two weeks, the reported election-related violence in the country almost doubled, indicating that political rivalry is indeed heating up further as May 14 draws near.

During Tuesday’s media forum at Camp Crame, Quezon City, Philippine National Police (PNP) Deputy Chief for Operations Director Wilfredo Garcia said a total of 80 election-related violent incidents (ERVI) have already been reported since the start of the election season on January 14.

The figure was a big jump from 51 ERVI’s recorded by the police two weeks ago, Garcia admitted.

He said that of the 80 cases, 21 were confirmed as politically motivated while the remaining 59 are still subjected to validation.

So far, a total of 32 persons died out of these incidents, 22 of whom are political candidates for the upcoming election.

“As predicted, our intelligence prediction, and as we already said before, as the election draws near, the political and partisan rivalry heats up, leading to violence, intimidation, harassment, and even death,” Garcia said.

But, precisely because of this expected situation, the PNP, he said, continuously intensifies its monitoring and maintenance of the peace and order situation throughout the country.

Garcia reported that as of yesterday, the PNP Task Force HOPE (Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections) has almost completed its inspection in the different regional commands of the PNP.

“I think only two regions remain unvisited and unchecked on their security preparations for the upcoming elections,” Garcia said.

Among the measures of the PNP is the setting up of checkpoints and chokepoints to monitor violators of the Comelec-imposed gunban, and the movement of Partisan Armed Groups (PAGS).

Garcia reported that as of yesterday morning, 1,874 persons were already arrested for violation of Comelec Resolution 7764-A, resulting in the confiscation of 1,754 firearms, 177 explosives, and 290 other deadly weapons.

He also disclosed that only 39 PAGS remain being monitored by the PNP.

Further, Garcia said the PNP is also closely monitoring the activities of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in relation to the election, particularly on their extortion activities in the form of collection of Permit-to-Campaign and Permit-toWin Fees from candidates.

A week before the election, Garcia said the PNP will recommend to the Comelec for the deputation of certain units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to augment police forces in securing certain areas of immediate concern, such as Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, Masbate, Abra, Isabela, Cagayan and certain areas in Nueva Ecija province.

Despite the increasing ERVI’s, Garcia maintained that this year’s figure is still favorable compared to those in 2004, which recorded a total of 249 ERVI’s, and resulted in the death of 41 political candidates.

At around midnight of Monday, three village officials in Nueva Ecija province were killed while their companion survived in what is believed to be a politically motivated ambush.

Police Insp. Danilo Cuevas, chief of police of Talugtog town in Nueva Ecija, told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview yesterday that the party of Liberato Ramos, 57, barangay chairman of Saverona in the same town, was on their way home from a political meeting when ambushed at the provincial road of Saverona village.

Ramos; his barangay councilor, Juanito Doña; and his village treasurer, Eusebio Jimenez died on the spot, while Rizal de Gracia was unhurt.

The four victims were riding a multicab when fired upon by not more than three suspects who were waiting for them beside the provincial road.

The suspects were believed to be armed with an M16 rifle and a caliber 45 based on the recovered 30 empty shells of the former and one empty shell of the latter at the crime scene.

Cuevas said the four victims had just attended a political meeting presided over by Talugtog Mayor Pacifico Monta in Barangay Sampaloc of said town prior to the ambush.

“They (victims) are known avid supporters of Mayor Monta. They left Barangay Sampaloc at around 11:30 pm,” said Cuevas.

Asked if the incident was politically motivated, Cuevas said: “We can considering that,” citing the nature of the victims’ jobs and the last activity they participated in.

He said Cuevas had received threats to his life prior to the attack but did not take those seriously.

But based on testimonies of the residents, Cuevas said Ramos was well-loved by his constituents because of his kindness and humility.

Cuevas said they hope to identify the suspects behind the ambush and establish the exact motive as their investigation progresses.

At this stage, Cuevas said the possibility that the New People’s Army had a hand in the attack is very remote.

Almost four hours later, supporters of a Mayoralty candidate in Abra province were also ambushed in Bangued town but survived.

Supt. Joseph Adnol, spokesman of the Cordillera Region Police, said the four supporters of incumbent Langiden Mayor and re-electionist Felix Castillo, led by his nephew, Joel, 24, were fired upon by unidentified suspects at around 3:45 am while traversing Sitio Bariquir in Barangay San Antonio, Bangued aboard a red owner-type jeep (plate number ACG-835).

The jeep was traveling in convoy with a van where the mayoralty candidate was riding. The van was tailing the jeep.

Joel Castillo was in the company of Andy Blaza, 32; Joseph Llanesa, 27; and Reynante Cayapa, 23, all residents of Barangay Baac, Langiden, Abra, at the jeep.

Adnol said the four escaped death after they were able to jump off from their jeep upon seeing that big stones blocked their way while traveling towards Barangay Cabuloan in Bangued.

The four only sustained minor injuries, while their jeep sustained three bullet holes on its windshield.

The van, on the other hand, was able to maneuver and reported the incident to police.

Immediately, members of the Bangued Municipal Police Station, the 1601st Police Provincial Mobile Group and Task Force Abra responded but lost track of the suspects, who were believed to have escaped on foot.

The responding authorities recovered 23 empty shells of still unknown caliber from the crime scene, Adnol said.

“The motive of the ambush is believed to be political,” he said, without elaborating.

Adnol said the case is now being investigated for the identification and arrest of the suspects./DMS