MANILA, Philippines - The opposition bloc in the House of Representatives warned yesterday that the senatorial and local elections in May could be bloody because of the breakdown of discipline in the ranks of law enforcement agencies.
House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez cited the rising criminality and violent incidents, including the alleged shootout involving ranking police and military officers in Atimonan, Quezon, ahead of the elections.
He also pointed to the shooting of Mayor Erlinda Domingo in Quezon City that appeared to be election-related.
“I hope I am wrong, but I foresee an election that will surpass the violent incidents of 2012,†Suarez said, adding that the Philippine National Police (PNP) must improve its campaign against loose firearms with the elections around the corner.
“I wonder why the administration keeps on saying that criminality is going down, maybe they mean (peace and order) is going down the drain,†the lawmaker said.
Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay said Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas should tighten his reigns over the PNP.
She said the administration can no longer blame the previous government for the rising criminality it is already three years old.