The barangay elections were held only three weeks ago, and already two newly elected village chiefs have been shot dead. Barangay Resureccion chairman Denmark Bueno was shot several times as he emerged from a school where he had brought his children in Magsingal town in Ilocos Sur yesterday.
While the gunmen have eluded arrest, suspicion in such cases typically focuses initially on political rivalry.
The campaign itself was marred by deadly violence, with clan wars spilling over into grassroots politics in several barangays. Village officials get a monthly salary that is barely above the minimum wage, but the elections are always hotly contested. Barangay officials have control over bigger amounts of money from local government revenue allotments. They also wield powers within the community and serve as the representatives at the grassroots of politicians occupying higher positions.
It is not surprising then that barangay elections are also marred by violence, vote buying and other attempts to cheat. An election gun ban might have reduced the level of violence during the campaign and on election day. But politicians resort to violence even after the will of the electorate is known. Bueno is just the latest casualty of that violence. With the gun ban lifted this week, post-election violence could increase.
Law enforcement authorities are aware of the problem and have long identified post-election hot spots. In these areas, tighter measures are needed to enforce gun laws and prevent the operation of private armed groups. More than vote buying, vote padding and shaving, murder is the worst form of undermining the will of the electorate. Bueno’s death should not herald the start of a long season of post-election violence.