Tuesday, May 01, 2007 Editorial: Why wait for someone to get killed?
PEOPLE are asking why both the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) still refused to declare the Municipality of Pulupandan under Comelec control amid violent conflict between the rival camps of mayoralty candidates Magdaleno Peña and Samson Mondia.
Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Noppo) Director Rosendo Franco said no killings have occurred yet except for some harassment complaints against Peña.
Franco explained that there are criteria that need to be met before a certain place can be declared under Comelec control.
One of these criteria - someone has to get killed first.
Absurd and dangerous.
Franco should know that Pulupandan is just a small town but with Peña as the "main actor" of the conflict, he should closely watch the latter's daily movements.
Everybody knows who Peña is.
He is the man who pushed retired Army Gen. Raymundo Jarque to join the rebel group and seek refuge in the mountains.
He's also the man who made actress/tv host Plinky Recto came out in the open, cried in public and Beg for him to return her son.
With Peña's desire to win the electoral battle against Mondia, Franco should be very wary. Peña is capable of doing everything just to covet what he really wants in the upcoming May 14 elections.
Hope that Franco and the Comelec will act before the worst happens in Pulupandan. If the people's fears will turn into reality, Franco and the Comelec are the first to be blamed.
