MANILA, Philippines - The peace covenant signed by local candidates in Masbate last month has been violated with the recent killing of two political supporters in the province, the military said yesterday.
In a statement, Maj. Harold Cabunoc, spokesman of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division, said a certain Jose Frias of San Pascual, Masbate was gunned down last Sunday by at least three men carrying M-16 rifles.
Frias was reportedly a political leader of incumbent San Pascual Mayor Zacarina Lazaro.
A day after the incident, the Special Task Force Masbate reported that a certain Ireneo Lumahog of Barangay Tubog, Pio V. Corpuz town was killed by two armed men.
While authorities have yet to find proof that Lumahog’s killing was politically motivated, Cabunoc said some of his relatives have floated such an angle.
“The series of election-related violent incidents occurred despite the efforts of Special Task Force Masbate and all stakeholders to forge a peace covenant and advocacy for an honest, orderly and peaceful election in the province,” Cabunoc said.
Poll bets in Masbate signed the peace covenant last Feb. 17 in a multi-sectoral forum organized by Fr. Leo Casas.
The event was attended by Rep. Rizalina Lanete who is running for governor, Reps. Narciso Bravo Jr. (first district) and Antonio Kho (second district) who are both seeking re-election, Gov. Elisa Kho and retired general Darius Tuason who are running for Congress in their respective districts.
Cabunoc said Maj. Gen. Ruperto Pabustan, commander of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division, has ordered Special Task Force Masbate to intensify its campaign against private armies in the province.
He said 10 suspected members of private armies in Masbate have been arrested since Jan. 1.
Last month, the defense department said Masbate might be placed under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) due to the presence of armed groups in the province.
Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales said the province is suffering from “politicized law enforcement” and a “paralyzed criminal justice system.”
Provinces with private armies are placed under Comelec control to prevent poll-related violence from escalating in these areas.
Aside from Masbate, other areas that may be placed under Comelec control are Abra, Nueva Ecija, Basilan, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu and Maguindanao.