How to stop political killings

Why do politicians kill each other? Because of power, money… in short, corruption. Politics and corruption have become synonymous in our country and they are the root, not only of political killings, but all the problems we have as a people.

“Public servants” tend to think first about themselves, their family, re-election, survey standing and political future, with the interest of the nation often on the back burner.

Glance at both houses of Congress. They are engrossed in wanting to change the Constitution when they should be busy changing themselves to be able to address correctly the numerous pressing issues at hand and solve our problems.

What does political dynasty have to do with murdering our local and national officials? It is the main cause, with the perpetrators either part of political dynasties or have the craving to remain in power (eternally) via their immediate family members and clans as successors one after another, forever and ever.

Every politics-related violence that happened in the past involved politicians that belong to such groups, whether or not the killings (and stealings) occurred during election periods. Have we forgotten the 2009 Maguindanao massacre or the Maragondon massacre as far back as 1952?

Demolish political dynasty and you dismantle private armies. It is the way to stop political killings and crush/avert corruption on a massive scale. Political gangsterism usually stems from heated political rivalries among warring political dynasties.

The recent murder of Gov. Roel Degamo, with eight others as collateral damage, is another soul-jolting crime/horror that sends the same compelling message: Put an end to political dynasty. Craft a law that would prohibit such a vicious habit by politicians. But, alas, with nearly three-fourths of our legislators belonging to political dynasties and with others looking forward to following their footsteps by likewise having their wives/husbands, brothers/sisters, children, grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, etc. as their political “inheritors,” how can it be possible? – Reni M. Valenzuela, [email protected]