BATANGAS, Philippines – The camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay on Friday, February 12, condemned the killing of a former Batangas councilor seeking the same post under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) in the May elections.

“Kinokondena at ikinalulungkot namin ang pagpatay kay Councilor Caloy Mabilangan kaninang umaga. Inihahatid ni Vice President Jejomar Binay ang kanyang dalamhati at pakikiramay sa pamilya at mga naiwang mahal sa buhay ni Ka Caloy,” UNA spokesperson Mon Ilagan said in a statement sent to reporters.

(We condemn and we are saddened by the death of Councilor Caloy Mabilangan this morning. Vice President Jejomar Binay extends his sympathy to the family left behind by Ka Caloy.)

Radio dzIQ reported that former Santo Tomas councilor Damasino “Caloy” Mabilangan Jr was shot dead by unidentified men riding a motorcycle on Friday morning, while he was jogging.

Binay, running mate Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II, and members of their senatorial slate, were visiting Batangas that same day.

Politically motivated?

Mabilangan’s brother, former communist rebel Leopoldo “Ka Hector” Mabilangan, was also shot dead on April 3, 1994, in Santo Tomas. At the time, Ka Hector was considering running for town mayor or congressman of the third district of Batangas.

“UNA strongly deplores any form of violence, and will not allow violence to subvert the ends of the democratic process by way of harassment, threats, or any kind of intimidation to disempower political opponents,” Ilagan said.

“It is clear that the string of killings and incidence of violence are mostly politically motivated. Ang mga insidenteng ito ay hindi natin maaaring sabihin na isolated dahil tuwing panahon ng kampanya, at habang papalapit ang eleksyon ay lalong tumitindi ang mga patayan at karahasan at target nito kadalasan ay mga kandidato ng oposisyon,” he said.

(Incidents like this cannot be considered as isolated because during the campaign season, and as the elections draw near, cases of killings and violence increase and usually, the targets are members of the opposition.)

As of posting, however, police are still investigating the motive behind Mabilangan’s murder.

Beef up security measures

The former Cainta mayor urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to improve security measures during the campaign season.

“Seryosong bagay ito, at dapat mas paigtingin pa ng Comelec ang usaping pang-seguridad upang maiwasan ang madugong halalan (This is a serious issue and Comelec must strengthen security to avoid a bloody election). And since the AFP and PNP are under the Comelec’s direct control, we urge the Commission to beef up its campaign against election-related violence,” said Ilagan. 

“May mga grupo na alam na mahina sila sa mga lokal (There are groups who know they are weak in the local level) and the only way to gain political advantage is to neutralize the competition,” he added. – Rappler.com