FILE PHOTO: A member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) stands guard. (REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco)
QUEZON CITY, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that based on records, politics is the main reason behind most of the killings that involved local officials.
Since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office in July 2016, the number of slain local chief executives has already reached 18 (12 mayors and 6 vice mayors) as of this month.
The most recent was Mayor Alexander Buquing of Sudipen, La Union who was ambushed on Monday (October 1).
According to PNP Spokesperson Benigno Durana Jr., 13 of these cases have already been solved.
“Meron po tayong (We have a) crime solution efficiency na (of) 61 percent. Pero na-resolve natin yung (But we were able to solve) 72 percent, which is a very commendable performance of our investigators,” Durana said.
Most of the cases were politically motivated.
Meanwhile, three mayors were killed from police operations namely Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa and Ozamis City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog for alleged links to illegal drugs and Datu Saudi Ampatuan Mayor Samsudin Dimaukom.
Some other motives would be clan rivalry, like the cases of Datu Saudi Ampatuan Vice Mayor Anwar Sindatuk and Pantar, Lanao Del Norte Mayor Mohammad Limbona
General Tinio Mayor Antonio Bote was killed over business; Roxas Oriental Mindoro Vice Mayor Jackson Dy was slain because of personal grudge; Balete Batangas Mayor Joven Hidalgo was murdered out of vengeance; Bien Unido Bohol Mayor Gisela Benson Boniel was killed due to parricide while Buenavista Bohol Mayor Ronald Tirol was slain for still unknown motive.
Durana said five of the deaths are still under investigation.
The officer said violence against local officials is expected to grow rampant as election season approaches that’s why he encourages them to report immediately to authorities once they receive threats to their security.
“Kasama doon sa kanyang directive for the chiefs of police, provincial directors and regional directors to really sit down with local chief executives sa kanilang mga lugar para pag-usapan kung anong mga threat level ng bawat local chief executives para mabigyan sila ng sapat na proteksiyon kung sa palagay nila meron pong banta sa kanilang buhay,” Durana said. – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Lea Ylagan)
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