Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Monday strongly denounced the twin killings of village officials in Mindanao in what he described as “incidents that are apparently politically-motivated, occuring as they are very close to the May 13 elections.”
The Mindanao-born lawmaker was reacting to separate fatal shooting incidents of two local barangay heads from the Zamboanga peninsula over the weekend.
Barangay Chief Edgardo Podpod Viñas of Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte was shot close to noon last Saturday by a motorcycle-riding gunman.
Later the same day, Ibrahim Ungad, chair of Barangay New Labangan in Zamboanga del Sur, was likewise shot as he was going out of his house.
Two men were reported to have approached Ungad and killed him with a shotgun. The assailants fled using a motorcycle.
“We should all be scandalized and outraged by these brazen acts of violence and intimidation. The targets are clearly local officials. There’s a sad and troubling pattern here.”
“We should all be scandalized and outraged by these brazen acts of violence and intimidation. The targets are clearly local officials. There’s a sad and troubling pattern here.”
Pimentel, who himself is up for re-election in the Philippine Senate, expressed sympathies to the families of the victims of these “senseless killings,” saying that after years in public service, he still cannot fathom why there is resort to violence in local politics.
“No one needs to mourn loved ones who are merely doing their jobs for their constituents.”
“No one needs to mourn loved ones who are merely doing their jobs for their constituents.”
The legislator immediately called the attention of the Philippine National Police, remarking “Our law enforcement authorities should be more vigilant and alert. The maintenenace and preservation of peace and security is important during this crucial election period.”
