Whether it’s election season or not, armed violence is a constant threat for politicians in this country. No one is spared – political neophytes, members of long-entrenched clans, incumbent or former government officials – everyone is fair game.
The latest victim is Amado Espino Jr. The former governor and congressman of Pangasinan, whose son and namesake is the current governor, survived an ambush last Wednesday afternoon in San Carlos City. He lost a security aide, however, and the driver who although critically wounded managed to rush him to the hospital also died on Thursday night. Two other security escorts were seriously wounded as heavily armed men in three cars opened fire on Espino’s two-vehicle convoy.
Espino, a police officer before he entered politics, became controversial after being included in the so-called narco list of President Duterte. Espino protested, and the President later publicly apologized for what he said was the erroneous inclusion of Espino on the list. Espino has also been implicated in illegal black sand mining in his province – a charge he has denied.
Police said Espino had been receiving death threats before the ambush. Politicians inevitably make enemies. In this country, unfortunately, it is so easy for enemies to settle scores by resorting to armed violence. Political rivalries are settled through assassination. Murder has become the ultimate tool for running unopposed in elections.
In Bicol, the principal suspect in the assassination of Ako Bicol party list Rep. Rodel Batocabe is his family’s political rival, former mayor Carlwyn Baldo of Daraga, Albay. Batocabe had challenged Baldo, who was seeking reelection as mayor. Baldo, who faces two counts of murder and multiple frustrated murder, has been allowed to post P8.7-million bail by Legazpi City Regional Trial Court Judge Maria Theresa Loquillano, who said the case was not strong enough to deny bail.
The deadly violence is made possible by the failure to bring perpetrators to justice. In many areas, political warlords control every aspect of the criminal justice system – the police, prosecution service, the trial courts – allowing them to get away with all illegal activities from jueteng to drug trafficking, plunder and murder. Hired guns proliferate all over the country, ready to kill even for a four-figure fee.
The violence will stop only if the state can deliver a convincing message that punishment is certain for anyone who breaks the law. Hired guns and their principals must be caught and brought to justice.