Campaign violence: 27 killed in 105 days

MANILA, Philippines – A total of 27 people, including a mayoralty bet and five running for councilor, were killed in 75 election-related violent incidents during the first 105 days of the campaign period for the May 10 general elections.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo  Espina said yesterday the figure is lower compared to the 2004 and 2007 elections.

Espina said investigators were validating 61 more incidents, initially reported to be election-related, although there were indications that the motives were personal, business, and work related.

He reported that the incidents were recorded from Jan. 10, the start of the campaign period for the May 10 presidential and local polls, until Sunday, April 25.

Thirty-seven persons, mostly civilian supporters of politicians, were also wounded in various election-related cases.

The PNP reported 229 incidences of violence with 128 fatalities, including 37 politicians/candidates, in 2007, while 249 incidents, with 189 deaths, 41 of them politicians/candidates, were recorded in 2004.

Meanwhile, the National Election Monitoring and Action Center said 2,288 gun ban violators have been arrested since Jan. 10.

Violators included 2,073 civilians and 215 government personnel who yielded 1,998 firearms, 261 explosive devices, 547 bladed weapons, 819 air guns, and gun replicas.

In Cagayan, police arrested Dwight Doca, long wanted for armed robbery. He yielded a cal. 45 handgun when arrested while attending a town fiesta in Barangay Lanna, Solana, Cagayan last Sunday.

Doca was reportedly a supporter of Solana town Mayor Maynard Carag and was frequently seen in meetings of the mayor.

Doca is also a suspect in the failed ambush of local candidate Edgar Palattao last April 21. –Cecille Suerte Felipe (The Philippine Star)