At A Glance
- Boxing legend-turned-poltician Manny Pacquiao says the path to public service should be devoid of violence. The Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate had this to say following the killing of Rizal, Cagayan Mayor Joel Ruma last April 23.
Manny Pacquiao
Boxing legend-turned-poltician Manny Pacquiao says the path to public service should be devoid of violence.
The Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate had this to say following the killing of Rizal, Cagayan Mayor Joel Ruma last April 23.
"The brutal killing of Mayor Joel Ruma is a wake-up call for all of us. Violence has no place in politics or in any part of our country. This chilling attack is an assault not just on one man but on our democracy itself," Pacquiao said in a statement Tuesday, April 29.
Ruma was gunned down during a campaign rally at the Illuru Sur barangay hall while campaigning. Police said initial investigation showed a shot from a sniper rifle killed Ruma.
Reports said that Ruma received a death threat before the incident.
"Hindi dapat daanin sa dahas ang paglilingkod sa bayan. Sa halalan, dapat ideya at puso ang naglalaban, hindi baril at karahasan (Serving the nation should not be done through violence. In elections, it should be ideas and hearts that compete, not guns and brutality," Pacquiao underscored.
"We must demand swift justice for Mayor Ruma, and we must protect the rights and lives of every candidate and citizen," the former senator added.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) under its chief General Rommel Marbil has launched an in-depth investigation into the killing.