The killings of mayors, vice mayors, and mayoralty bets
The killing of party-list representative Rodel Batocabe two days before Christmas is a bad omen indicating high probability that the coming May mid-term elections may be one of the bloodiest in Philippine history. I recall the most famous alleged political killing in Philippine history, the murder of Julio Nalundasan, the winner in the Ilocos Norte congressional elections in 1935, which ended with the prosecution of Ferdinand E. Marcos, son of the defeated bet, Mariano Marcos, as the supposed murderer. But Marcos, who reviewed for the Bar while in detention, and who prepared his own appeal brief in jail, obtained an acquittal and topped the Bar too.
In 2018, 2017, and 2016, at least 18 mayors and vice mayors were killed. Whether the killings were connected with the anti-drug war or politically motivated, there is no clear conclusion. Each case must be examined separately and objectively. Our own Ronda Mayor, Mariano Blanco III, my distant cousin, was killed inside his office in the town hall on September 5, 2018. His vice mayor who was also his nephew, and my former ring bearer, Atty. Jonnah John Ungab, was also killed by unidentified men in broad daylight and while driving his car on February 19, 2018.
Balawan, La Union, Vice Mayor Alfred Concepcion was shot and killed on November 14, 2018, while his daughter, Mayor Aleli Concepcion survived the ambush. Sudipen, La Union, Mayor Alexander Buguing was killed on October 1, 2018 while his wife Vice Mayor Joy was injured but survived. Sapa Sapa, Tawi-Tawi, Vice Mayor Al Rashid Mohammad Ali was killed on July 11, 2018, while Trece Martires, Cavite, Vice Mayor Alex Lubigan was also murdered on July 7, 2018. General Tinio, Nueva Ecija, Mayor Ferdinand Bote was killed in Cabanatuan City on July 3, 2018. Tanauan City, Batangas, Mayor Antonio Halili was killed during a flag ceremony in front of the City Hall on July 12, 2018. Buenavista, Bohol, Mayor Ronald Tirol was killed inside a cockpit on May 27, 2018. Roxas, Oriental Mindoro, Vice Mayor Jack Dy was killed on September 22, 2017.
Ozamiz City Mayor Rolando Parojinog, together with his wife Susan and sister Mona, were killed in a police raid on July 30, 2017. Bien Unido, Bohol, Mayor Gisela Boniel was allegedly killed by her own husband in June 2016. Her remains have not been found. Marcos, Ilocos Norte, Mayor Arsenio Agustin was gunned down on June 3, 2017. Pantar, Lanao del Norte, Mayor Muhamad Lumiba was also killed on December 29, 2016. Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao, Vice Mayor Anwar Sindatok was killed in on November 26, 2016 while the mayor of that town was earlier shot and killed on October 2016. Albuera, Leyte, Mayor Rolando Espinosa was killed inside the jail in Baybay, Leyte, on November 5, 2016. And Pamplona, Cagayan, Vice Mayor Aaron Sampaga was killed on August 5, 2016.
Until today, most of the murderers remain at large, and the killings remain unsolved. We should pray that justice be served, that life be respected as sacred, and that the rule of law shall prevail.
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