Palace, PNP on local execs’ killings: It’s election season

MANILA, Philippines — Blame it on the political season.

This was the comment of Malacañang and the Philippine National Police (PNP) on the recent killings of local government officials even as the government vowed a thorough probe to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“I am not saying it was justified, but you know, it’s political season,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said when asked for a reaction on reports that 11 mayors and six vice mayors have been killed since President Duterte assumed office.

“The only solution... is to punish all the killers and bring back fear to the hearts and minds of those who kill,” Roque added.

He said Malacañang condemns the killing of Mayor Alexander Buquing of Supiden, La Union on Monday and assured the public of a ”fast investigation” to unmask those behind it.

Saying killings targeting local government executives usually occur before elections, PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde ordered an intensified campaign against guns-for-hire and private armed groups.

“If we study all the elections, there is a spike... The PNP chief said we should be proactive in running after gun-for-hire gangs and private armed groups to prevent killings.... in the runup to the elections,” Chief Superintendent Benigno Durana, PNP spokesman, said.

Records show that the PNP’s campaign against guns-for-hire resulted in the arrest of 49 persons recently. At least 19 firearms and a hand grenade were also recovered.

In Calabarzon alone, eight suspected contract killers were killed and 14 guns were seized in police operations in the past two weeks.

Albayalde said the PNP is working to disarm about 78 private armed groups in the country.

Task force 

Meanwhile, Albayalde ordered the creation of a task force to investigate the killing of Buquing and his two aides.

Buquing and his escort Police Officer 2 Rolando Juanbe were pronounced dead on arrival at the Southern Ilocos Sur District Hospital in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur.

Buquing’s driver Boni Depdepen died while being treated at the Lorma Medical Center in San Fernando.

Buquing’s wife and Supiden Vice Mayor Wendy Joy remain confined in the same hospital.

“While we are saddened by this unfortunate incident, we would like to assure the families of the victims that the PNP is committed to get to the bottom of this case,” Albayalde said. 

Politics, business

Sources said politics or business are possible motives for the killings. They cited quarrying along the Amburayan River, which is controlled by the municipal government. 

Buquing reportedly prevented construction firms owned by his political rivals from quarrying in the area. 

Senior Superintendent Ricardo Layug Jr., La Union police director, said Buquing was not a suspected drug personality.

The Buquing couple had just attended the wake of a municipal employee in Barangay Ipet when they were waylaid, according to Councilor Melvin Macusi.  

Macusi said he was supposed to run as Buquing’s runningmate in next year’s elections. 

Senate probe

Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino III filed Senate Resolution 901 asking the committee on public order and dangerous drugs chaired by Sen. Panfilo Lacson to look into the killings and attacks against local government officials.

 “Let’s make a stand against the culture of violence in our country... Filipino families are hurt by all these violence and killings,” Aquino said.

Mayor Antonio Halili of Tanauan City, Batangas was shot dead during a flag-raising ceremony in front of the city hall last July while Mayor Ferdinand Bote of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija was killed in an ambush in Cabanatuan City the following day.

Vice Mayor Alexander Lubigan of Trece Martires, Cavite was also killed in an ambush on July 7. Vice Mayor Al-Rashid Mohammad Ali of Sapa-Sapa, Tawi-Tawi was shot dead four days later.

On Sept. 5, Mayor Mariano Blanco III of Ronda, Cebu was shot dead in his office.

The PNP also created a task force to monitor the progress of the investigations of the killings. – With Jun Elias, Paolo Romero, Marvin Sy