By Aaron Recuenco
The top leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP), has reminded police commanders to further intensify its security measures following the death of Supiden, La Union Mayor Alexander Boquing.
Philippine National Police Spokesperson Senior Supt. Benigno Durana Jr.
(Kevin Tristan Espiritu / MANILA BULLETIN)
Chief Supt. Benigno Durana, PNP spokesman, said they were anticipating a spike in cases of attacks against incumbent local officials and other local candidates as early as a few days before the filing of certificate of candidacy next week ahead of the 2019 midterm elections.
“If we study all the elections in the run up to the elections, there are indeed spike. This is the reason why the Chief PNP (Director General Oscar Albayalde) has come with an order to run after the gun for hire and private armed groups,” said Durana.
“This is to preempt or prevent the spike of shooting of killings of local chief executives in the run up of the elections,” he added.
While police are yet to determine the real motive behind the killing of Boquing, local politics is already being eyed by investigators as reason for the ambush slay.
Durana also confirmed that Boquing was not included in the narco-list of President Duterte.
Durana, however, said that there was a need to intensify the security measures being implemented on the days leading to the filing of the certificate of candidacy, and until election day.
Boquing, according to the PNP, was the 11th mayor killed since July 2016. Albayalde earlier created a national investigation task force to look into the killing of local executives.