Requests that would pave the way for unequal footing in the electoral landscape in Sulu were some of the things denied by Sulu Provincial Election Supervisor Vidzfar Julie which later led to a daring daylight ambush against him that claimed the life of his brother.
This was according to Commission on Elections Chairman George Erwin Garcia, who considers the incident a form of election-related violence and believes that the one behind the act is, more or less, a politician.
"More or less politiko sapagkat marami kasing na mga request na hindi pinagbigyan, yung mga request na sa paniniwala ng ating PES, ay makakapag-ensure ng unequal opportunity para sa mga kandidato diyan sa isang parte ng probinsya ng Sulu (More or less politician, because there were many requests that were not granted, requests that, in the belief of our PES, would ensure unequal opportunities for candidates in a certain part of the province of Sulu)," Garcia said in a chance interview on Monday, Dec. 23.
Julie and his brother, 57-year-old Nasser Amil Asiri were onboard Julie’s Sports Utility Vehicle when they were shot by motorcycle-riding gunmen on Saturday, Dec. 21 in Zamboanga City.
Asiri succumbed to a bullet wound in the head during treatment in a hospital there.
"No words are enough to condemn this treacherous act of violence against our people. What is more gruesome and unforgivable is when a loved one is caught in the crossfire so to speak," Garcia said in a statement following the incident.
"We are not yet prepared to cry hopelessness but a call for immediate action from authorities is strongly demanded," he added.
Garcia also shared a post by Julie which showed the bloodied interior of the vehicle.
In the caption Julie said: "Mga duag kong matapang kayo mag pakilala kayo kong sino kayo para walang madamay ibang tao, buhay pa ako mga duag (Cowards, if you're brave, introduce yourselves so that others won't get involved. I'm still alive, cowards)."
In the meantime, Garcia said that they would not Julie from his post as it would mean the perpetrators have succeeded in their attempt. He called on the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the immediate arrest of those involved in the crime.
"Mas masakit na yung mismong kapamilya ang nadamay po dito (It's even more painful that a family member was affected by this)," he said.
"Nag-peperform ka ng trabaho, hindi na lang ikaw ang masaktan, kapamilya mo naman ang gagawin. Hindi ba mas kahindik-hindik yun at mas karimarimarim na nagdadamay ng mga taong hindi naman yung mismong inaaway nila? (You’re doing a job, but it’s not just you who gets hurt; your family also gets affected. Isn’t that even more horrifying and disturbing, dragging in people who aren’t even involved in the conflict?)" he added.
Garcia said that the favor asked usually involves the transfer of polling places and precincts. He added that politicians feel that if an election officer does not grant the request, they are favoring their opponents.
The poll chief also stressed that it's important that someone is held responsible for such acts; otherwise, they are bound to repeat themselves.
He clarified that Sulu will not be placed under Comelec's control.