Palace calls for end to political violence

Malacañang on Wednesday called for an end to political violence following the ambush of San Fernando, Cebu Mayor Lakambini Reluya that led to the killing of her husband and two others.

Reluya and her five companions including her husband, Ricardo, were traveling to Cebu City when unidentified gunmen opened fire on their van in Barangay Linao, Talisay City in Cebu on Tuesday.

The mayor sustained injuries but her husband died as well as driver Allan Bayot and staff Ricky Montenora.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo condemned the ambush and prayed for Reluya’s speedy recovery.

“During election period, political rivalry is fever pitch resulting in the upsurge of election-related violence. This unfortunate and standard norm cannot continue and the culture of violence that has characterized the electoral process will have to end,” he said.

“The citizenry must be vigilant and it must put to notice law enforcement authorities on any brewing electoral violence between and among the candidates and their followers in their respective localities.”

Reluya was gunning for reelection while her husband was a vice mayoral candidate in the May 2019 midterm polls.

Panelo warned election candidates to stop using “undemocratic and illegal methods to win for the law on accountability shall be applied to them with full force and effect.”

He said the Philippine National Police has been directed to monitor areas considered hotspots and to enforce the law strictly regardless of who are involved.

Panelo also maintained that President Rodrigo Duterte is committed to shepherd peaceful, honest and orderly elections.

“Violence is anathema to democracy and this administration will not allow nor tolerate any violence unleashed by any person or group that puts the voters and the general public at risk,” the Palace official said. —KG, GMA News