Election fever? PNP acting to prevent killing of local execs

MANILA, Philippines - Two years before the national and local elections in 2016, election fever is already being felt in the local arena with the series of killings recently of incumbent and former local executives.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima ordered all police units nationwide to start setting up checkpoints, implement the inspection of firearms and enforce warrants of arrest to prevent criminals from carrying out their illegal activities.

Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP-Public Information Office director, said the police is preparing security measures to prevent more crimes.

Sindac said in local politics, the election fever has apparently started for the 2016 elections.

Last June 7, unidentified men shot dead Mayor Ernesto Balolong of Urbiztondo, Pangasinan in front of a supermarket near his residence. Balolong was a member of the Liberal Party like President Aquino.

Police reports showed that one of his police escorts and a civilian were also killed, while a supermarket employee and a bystander were wounded.

Also last June 7, former mayor Arnulfo Rivera of Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas was gunned down by a still unidentified suspect after the victim attended mass at the chapel in Barangay Calingatan.

Police have yet to establish the motive and identify the assassins in both incidents.

Mayor Reynaldo Navarro of Laak, Compostela Valley was killed last May 28 after armed men ambushed his vehicle in Davao del Norte.

Navarro’s convoy was traveling along the highway in Asuncion town when unidentified men opened fire. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Tagum Doctors Hospital.