Politics eyed in Alcover’s jeep burning incident

CEBU, Philippines - The Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (ANAD) considered the burning of a vehicle owned by Party-list Rep. Pastor Alcover, Jr. as politically motivated.

In a statement, ANAD claimed that Barangay Loong, Tabogon where the vehicle was torched did not have armed men such as members of the New People’s Army. It also did not have a history of violence.

Alcover believes that the arson incident was politically motivated as it happened at the heels of the hotly contested fourth congressional district where Rep. Benhur Salimbangon of the National Unity Party (NUP) overwhelmingly defeated Celestino “Tining” Martinez III of the Liberal Party (LP).

ANAD consistently backed Salimbangon in the last two elections. It also supported the mayoralty bid of his daughter, Marie Daphne Salimbangon, against reelectionist Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez, Jr. in Bogo City.

Few days before the elections, members of Bogo City’s Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) reportedly mauled in front of local policemen eight ANAD members who they spotted near the old Bogo City Hall.

Both Salimbangon and Alcover said they will file criminal charges against members of the City of Bogo Anti-Crime Task Force (CBACTAF) and members of the Bogo City Police Station who were involved in the illegal arrest and mauling incident.

Police investigation shows that two unidentified men poured gasoline into the parked jeep and set it on fire.

Alcover’s eldest son, Lemar, who ran for mayor in Tabogon, used the ill-fated vehicle, a Nissan jeep with a locally-fabricated “Hummer” design body– during the campaign.

Lemar parked the vehicle along the road fronting his residence as he accompanied his father in Manila to attend the canvassing.—(FREEMAN)