SOME local mayors have expressed alarm over the recent spate of killings involving local chief executives, especially those allegedly involved in the illegal drugs trade. Some mayors want to beef up their security by asking the Philippine National Police (PNP) for more security escorts.
Tanauan, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili was killed by a sniper while attending a flag raising ceremony at the City Hall grounds Monday morning. Halili was in the “narco-politicians” list of President Duterte. The following day, General Tinio, Nueva Ecija Mayor Ferdinand Bote was killed in an ambush by still unknown gunmen. Bote was not identified as a “narco-politician.”
Ten local chief executives have been killed since 2016. Some of them were killed by government agents during “legitimate operation” because of their involvement in the illegal drugs trade. The prominent victims were Albuera, Leyte mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., who was killed by CIDG 8 operatives while in detention at the Leyte sub-provincial jail almost two years ago.
Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, head of the dreaded “Kuratong Baleleng Gang” and some family members were killed during the serving of a search warrant last year. Mayor Samsudi Dimaukom of Datu Saudi Ampatuan in Maguindanao was also killed by government agents while transporting illegal drugs.
The other mayors were killed for political and personal reasons.
Mayor Ronald Tirol of Buenavista, Bohol was shot dead while he was inside the town’s cockpit last April. Politics was the motive. Mayor Gisela Boniel of Bien Unido, Bohol was killed allegedly by her husband, Bohol Provincial Board member Rey Niño Boniel. He body was thrown into the sea and has never been recovered.
Those who expressed alarm were Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas and “has been” mayor Mike Rama, who was named by no less than President Duterte as a drug protector.
Tuburan Mayor Democrito “Aljon” Diamante, president of the Municipal Mayor’s League (MML) Cebu chapter reminded his colleagues to be extra careful and beef up their security personnel. Well, local chief executives who are not into illegal activities especially in the narcotics trade have nothing to worry about unless they have committed another wrongdoing or because of intense political rivalry.
If we check the background of the victims of assassination, they have a common denominator, which is their involvement in the illegal drugs trade. As what I have said in my previous column, these killings maybe a part of the administration’s “cleansing” of politicians who are into the illegal drugs trade.
Kun wala sila magbinuang, wala gyud silay angayan kahadlokan. Pero kun nagbinuang sila, angayan gyud silang mabalaka kay basin sila nay isunod. Duna ra bay daghang “narco-politicians” dinhi nga wala pa mahinganli ni Digong. Nagtuo siguro sila nga makapadayon sila sa ilang mga dautang binuhatan.