By: Mark Navales
(Posted by beckydeasis-theredlinewseditor)
Cotabato City-- At least three people were killed, scores 3 wounded, and
a dozen individuals were taken by police after violence between two political
aspirants erupted Monday night in the Southern Philippine in the City of Cotabato.
Election violence is nothing new in the Philippines wherein politician's rivalry still the main source of some incidents every campaign period more particular in some identified far-flung provinces in the country.
The Barangay elections in the country will set on October 30. Lately Former President Rodrigo Duterte postponed the
said aBrangay elections last year, citing the possibilities that drug
traffickers or Drug Lords could be funded the election campaign of some candidates here.
Colonel Querubin Manalang Jr.City Police Chief, told
reporters that victims were identified as Nur-Moqtadin Butucan, Alfar Singh Ayunan
Pasawiran, 21, and Mawie Kaunutan at the
barangay of Rosary Heights 12 shortly after 9:00 p.m. while hanging campaign posters and they suddenly attacked to death by
unknown suspects as of press time.
Police added, the victims with their supporters will retaliate and returned gunfire against the perpetrators but they were outnumbered which resulted the
death of Three (3) and leaving three others injured.
During the incidents, the police immediately conducted hot pursuit and clearing operations which resulted
the captured of 12 suspects,” Manalang said.
Cotabato City Mayor Bruce Matabalao also added that he was vehemently surprised
and got mad the incidents because he don't want of his peaceful, progressive and democratic city may disturb this kind of violence and put the city into a bad light.
Mayor added, “those who responsible of this tragic shooting incidents
must know their responsibilities and actions because our authorities will give them
an immediate legal actions and justice may serve.
On the other hand: A New York-based security risk and management
agency reported hours before the shooting about 18 incidents of
election-related violence have been recorded since October 20.
The firm advised foreigners residing in the Philippines to avoid
rallies, party offices, polling stations, and Counting Centers, as a
precaution.
“If clashes erupted nearby, immediately depart the area and seek shelter
at a safe non-governmental building immediately," Crisis24 said in their advisory
released on October 23.
In 2018 village polls, police have recorded 25 people dead and 27
wounded in 47 recorded cases of violence.
Just over the weekend, 500 military personnel arrived in Maguindanao to
help and maintain the peace and security Situitions upon holding the incoming
Barangay-SK election.
Major General Alex Rillera of 6th Infantry Division Commander in
Central Mindanao, emphasized that the deployment was a strategic movement to
ensure the peaceful, secured to conduct of the incoming elections.
"This pro-active stance is aimed at safeguarding the electoral
process, demonstrating the commitment of the government to upholding democracy
and maintaining peace and order situitions of there area of responsibilities”
Rillera said.
“This collaborative effort of the military, police, and other security
forces signifies the government's unwavering dedication to ensuring a safe and
fair electoral process," he added.
Meanwhile, Police said there are 35 incidents recorder of election related violence to the upcoming
Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSKE) elections have been recorded in the
country as of press-time said national police spokesperson Colonel Jean
Fajardo.
Last August 28, an incumbent village Chief of Albay, Alex Repato, who
was seeking re-election, was shot by unknown perpetrators after filling his
certificate of candidacy at the office of the Commission on Election.
Days before that, village chairperson candidate Haron Dimalanis was
shot to death also by two men in front of the town hall in Midsayap North
Cotabato on August 20.
Last month, a village chieftain seeking re-election and a former Councilor
were attacked and shot in hiscar in Zamboanga on September 3, While in Taal,
Batangas last September 6 another re-electionist, Erasmo Hernandez, was gunned
down.
“These cases manifest the rising numbers of election-related violence
as the 2023 barangay and SK elections approach,” the Commission on Human Rights
also said
“Continued occurrences of violence against electoral candidates
undermines the electoral process and negatively impacts our democracy. The
culture of fear it creates can impair the people's right to make free and
empowered decisions,” the human rights body added.
Last year 2022, Authorities disbanded about 20 private armed groups
working for politicians over concerns about potential poll-related violence.
Most of the disbanded armed groups were from an Autonomous Muslim
region in the South, wherein of some members of gun-for-hire organizations are links to militant.
Accordingly, there were certain groups in the country that engaged a gun
running business and it was known a long- culture businesses of some feuding clans in some tribal areas –
rival political dynasties and among others.
In 2016
general election, there were 50 people died more or
less in election related violence recorded according to police statistics. Three years
later, during the 2019 midterm election, 23 people were killed and 50 injured. (Mark
Navales)
