Binay son wants stepped-up gun ban in Makati

MANILA, Philippines - Makati City mayoralty candidate Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. is calling on the local police to intensify the implementation of the gun ban in the city following the murder of a Binay ward leader in Barangay Guadalupe Viejo on Wednesday.

Binay, the son and namesake of vice mayoralty bet and incumbent Mayor Jejomar Binay, strongly criticized attempts to sow a “climate of fear” in Makati with the killing of their supporter.

“Without a doubt, there are desperate candidates who are bent on sowing a climate of fear in Makati but they are mistaken if they think we will be cowed into submission,” the younger Binay, a city councilor, said.

He said the Makati police should “take all necessary steps to enforce the gun ban to prevent the occurrence of senseless deaths in our city” and investigate reports that some candidates have hired “outsiders” to commit violent acts in Makati.

Bernardo Olarte, 63, was shot in front of his house on Jasmin street, Guadalupe Viejo by a gunman at past 5 p.m. last Wednesday. After shooting Olarte, witnesses said the gunman boarded a green Toyoto Corolla.

The victim sustained gunshot wounds in the head and back. He was rushed to the Ospital ng Makati’s acute care center in Bel-Air, where he died.

Binay said the killing of Olarte and the failed assassination attempt on his godfather and adviser Gerardo Limlingan in Cainta two weeks ago “are both politically motivated.”

“If the intent is to frighten us, then the perpetrators are mistaken. We will not be intimidated by violent acts of gangsters disguised as candidates,” he said.

The elder Binay earlier said he is seriously considering asking the Commission on Elections to put Makati under its control during the election period as a “deterrent” against possible acts of election-related violence.

With Makati under Comelec control, Binay said the poll body can exercise direct control over the police and can order the deployment of additional police and military personnel to ensure strict compliance with election laws. – Rhodina Villanueva, Sandy Araneta