MANILA, Philippines – The government will deploy more military troops to Gingoog, Misamis Oriental, the city led by ambushed Mayor Ruthie Guingona, said poll chief Sixto Brillantes Jr on Monday, April 22.

Brillantes said he, along with top officials of the Philippine National Police, discussed this during a command conference at Camp Crame, Quezon City.

“Wala kaming napag-usapan except to augment the military in the area,” Brillantes told reporters. (We discussed nothing else but to augment the military in the area.)

The ambush injured Mayor Guingona, mother of Sen Teofisto Guingona III and wife of former Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. It killed two others.

‘Not election-connected’

Brillantes noted the attack is “not necessarily election-connected.” Guingona is on her last term as mayor. She has fielded her daughter Stella Marie Guingona to replace her, against 3 other candidates.

The communist New People’s Army (NPA) claimed responsibility for the ambush. They said they fired upon Guingona’s convoy because it didnt stop at the NPA checkpoint.

“Ibang usapan ‘yon ‘pag NPA… mahirap kasi organized group ito eh,” Brillantes said. (It’s a different matter when the NPA is concerned… it’s difficult because this is an organized group.)

On Monday, the NPA again warned local candidates to seek their permission before campaigning in their strongholds.

But in a press conference, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda told local politicians “not to give in to the demands” of the communist group. “Permit to campaign is not tolerated under our system of government,” Lacierda said.

President Benigno Aquino III vowed to punish those involved in the ambush.

Various groups and individuals, like Bayan Muna Rep Teddy Casiño, have also blasted the NPA for the Gingoog ambush. – Rappler.com