Violence To Mar May Polls?
by Noel Bava, ds

With only a few days left before the national elections, situations are expected to worsen as the death of another political figure in Samar marks the seventh in a row of series of killings purported to be election-related.

Was it just a coincidence that third term mayor of Matuguinao in Western Samar was shot dead Tuesday morning by a lone gunman before his 200 supporters, or was it politically-motivated as others claim because the gunman was a known supporter of the mayor’s rival who is his own brother?

Mayor Celso dela Cruz was campaigning for his wife Nice dela Cruz when the gunman, Louie Nicole Obiado shot him dead. Obiado was a supporter of the mayor’s younger brother Carlos dela Cruz who is also running for mayoral bid.

While others claim that this could just be a friction between the murderer and the murdered, and others say that this could be a heightened sibling rivalry but many believe that the quest for power and influence over the town of Matuguinao has something to do with this.

The death of Mayor dela Cruz was the latest among the deaths that alarms the public. On Saturday a candidate of the administration for local council was killed in Biñan, Laguna. On Wednesday, Councilor Elmer Quinto of Barangay Lucao, in Dahupan City was shot in the head with a .45 cal. pistol. A news correspondent was also reported to have been killed recently inside his studio on what is believed as another politically-motivated crime. Yesterday, April 23,, suspected members of the communist hit squad Alex Boncayao Brigade (ABB) terrorized and abducted a ruling party lawyer in Pateros, Metro Manila. Atty. Dante Mercado (the lawyer’s name) was tied to an electrical post and warned by the said group not to engage himself in the election fraud. Lakas officials, on the other hand, said that this is a ploy of the Estrada’s camp. Whether this is true or not, we do not know.

What is sure for one thing is that as days draw near the elections, more crimes and violence are to be expected. There has never been a bloodless election in the history of the Philippines and this year’s election is surely not just a mere spectacle.

But apprehensions aside, there has also never been an election in our country when the Filipino spirit of courage, hope and fortitude are not tested. Having been under 333 years of Spanish rule, decades of American and Japanese occupation, the Filipinos are known for their willingness to go on amidst obstacles and against all odds.

It is quite ironic that in the face of seeming hopelessness, then is the time that the true power of hope among the Filipinos are experienced.

So let us go forward men and women of goodwill!