Gen. Debold M. Sinas, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered the Central Luzon regional police commander to intervene in the immediate solution of the political standoff in Jaen, Nueva Ecija amid concerns that it may result in an uncontrolled spark of violence soon.
The PNP has been observing apolitical stand on the quarrel between Antonio Prospero Esquivel and Sylvia Austria who are both insisting that they are the legitimate mayor of Jaen town but the last straw for Sinas was when an explosion occurred in the town proper on Tuesday night.
“I have instructed the PNP Regional Director for Central Luzon, Police Brigadier General Valeriano De Leon to make representations with the Department of the Interior and Local Government Regional Office for an immediate solution that will diffuse the ongoing political tension in Jaen, Nueva Ecija,” said Sinas in a statement released on Wednesday night.
“The explosion in Poblacion Jaen has all the indications of political motive apparently related to the contested mayoral seat of the Municipality of Jaen. This is already the second incident of this nature—with striking similarities to the first incident of explosion and power blackout on December 20, 2020,” he added.
Esquivel and Austria are locked in a dispute on the mayoralty post in Jaen town—with the former using a court order which declared him as the winner and the latter using the decision of the Commission on Elections to reinstate her.
Sinas said that in both explosions, post-blast investigation shows similarities in the bomb signature and components used in the construction of both Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
“This indicates the possibility that it may be the handiwork of the same suspect.,” said Sinas.
Sinas said that his instruction to de Leon is to ensure that a safe buffer is maintained between both parties and their supporters to prevent possible direct confrontation and escalation of violence.
“I urge both parties to keep their respective political supporters under control and to refrain from taking actions detrimental to public order and safety. The PNP will not take sides on this political contest, but will be firm and decisive in enforcing the law and implementing legal orders,” said Sinas.