Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday, March 6, filed a resolution calling on the Senate to conduct an investigation on the series of political killings happening in the Philippines.
Hontiveros filed Senate Resolution No. 518 following the assassination of incumbent Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, who was gunned down by unidentified men on Saturday, March 4.
“These killers are so emboldened, the violence happens in broad daylight. Wala na silang hiya o takot (They have no shame or fear),” Hontiveros said.
“Even more disturbing, uniformed personnel are complicit or actively involved. In the case of Gov. Degamo’s assassination, at least 5 others were also killed. This culture of impunity is a grave danger to the public,” she said.
Hontiveros further said this is not the first time she called for an investigation into political killings in Negros Oriental.
In 2019, a weeklong killing spree in Negros Oriental, Oplan Sauron, saw the death of Atty. Anthony Trinidad and several other civilians.
“We should be horrified by the frequency of political assassinations. Hindi na COMELEC ang arbiter, kundi ang gatilyo (it’s no longer the Commission on Elections that is the arbiter, but the trigger),” she lamented.
“Historical and worsening violence is corrupting our nation, in once peaceful places like Negros Oriental. Sa mahabang panahon, tumatapang lang ang mga assassins (In the long run, assassins get stronger),” she said.
Hontiveros said it is imperative that the Comelec reviews its processes on settling election-related disputes and violence.
“COMELEC’s processes have become increasingly ineffective and inefficient. The inordinate delay of COMELEC en banc rulings may have aggravated vindictiveness. Election-related killings tarnish the sanctity of our elections, which COMELEC is responsible for protecting. Their call of duty is beyond election day,” she said.
In the first few months of the new administration alone, the lawmaker noted there have already been seven (7) killings and attempted assassinations across the country which are mostly done in public.
These include the attempted assassinations of Cagayan Vice Mayor Rommel Almeda, Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong, Jr., Mayor Ohto Caumbo Montawal of Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur, and the killings of former Vice Mayor Danilo Amat of Quezon, Quezon Province, former Vice Mayor Romeo Sulit from Lobo, Batangas, former Mayor Rosita Furigay of Lamitan City, Basilan and recently Governor Degamo.
“A Senate investigation should be conducted not only to exact justice for the victims, but also to identify the underlying drivers of the killings, particularly the failure and inaction of our institutions, including our law enforcement agencies, to address political and election-related violence,” Hontiveros’ resolution states.
She also described the killings as becoming “increasingly disturbing,” with the “complicity and active involvement of men formerly in the uniformed service.”
“The virus of impunity continues to proliferate, and our state forces are heavily infected. How can the public trust killers masquerading as law enforcement? Who is giving the marching orders?” she asked.