Comelec calls for justice for slain election officer

MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections employees on Wednesday wore black to condemn the death of an election officer in Batangas.

On her Twitter account, Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said the poll body is one with the employees in condemning the killing of election officer Noel Miralles, who was assigned to Mabini, Batangas.

We in @COMELEC condemn the killing of Election Officer Miralles of.Mabini, Bulacan. Employees will wear black today.

— Rowena V. Guanzon (@commrguanzon) June 13, 2018

Miralles, 53, was on his way home to Batangas City when he was gunned down by unknown assailants on Monday evening. He was reportedly rushed to Bauan General Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

READ: Poll officer, 4 others shot dead

Comelec employees said Miralles' murder “highlights the prevailing culture of violence in the country.”

Comelec Employees Union president Mac Ramirez said wearing black signifies the “collective cry for justice for Miralles and other victims of senseless killings in the country.”

“The Comelec-EU calls on authorities to spare no effort in bringing the perpetrators of this cowardly act to justice,” Ramirez said in a statement released on Tuesday.

“The killings must stop. The culture of impunity in the country must end. We demand no less than justice,” he added.