Killing of rival's supporter: Masbate mayor, 5 others charged with murder

LEGAZPI CITY , Philippines  – Police have filed murder charges against a Masbate town mayor, his two police bodyguards, a barangay councilman and two others in the killing of a supporter of a rival candidate, as political violence spiked ahead of next month’s elections.

Witnesses identified PO1 Gilbert Patingan, one of the security escorts of re-electionist Placer Mayor Joshua Judd Lanete, as the gunman who allegedly killed Carlo Cencero, a supporter of rival candidate Fernando Talisic, last Sunday afternoon, said Senior Superintendent Eliciar Bron, Bicol police spokesman.

Also charged before the Masbate provincial prosecutor’s office were PO1 Cyril Cordova, barangay kagawad Junjun Malazarte, Barok Tan, and Bobet Dobungco.

Patingan had been brought to Camp Crame in Quezon City, and Cordova, to the Masbate police headquarters.

Bron said the filing of the information for murder against the suspects “was a result of careful and deliberate follow-up investigation” by Special Task Force Masbate.

“The (Region 5 police) will not hesitate to file cases in court, as evidence warrants, against all politicians and candidates who only (have) the laws of the jungle in mind,” he said.

Senior Superintendent Eduardo Binigay, Masbate police director, said they have recalled all police escorts of Lanete.

At least 33 people have been killed in election-related attacks since Jan. 10, police said.

Elections in the country are often marred by violence and fraud. About 130 people were killed during the 2007 elections.

Nearly a third of the country’s cities and municipalities have been identified as potential hot spots for election unrest.

In the worst case in the country’s recent history, members of the powerful Ampatuan clan are accused of massacring 57 people, including journalists, family members and supporters of a political rival, in Maguindanao last November.

President Arroyo subsequently created a commission charged with dismantling more than 100 private armies on the payroll of political warlords.

Some were disbanded, but a member of the commission, Herman Basbano, told reporters Wednesday that more gunmen were being hired despite the government crackdown.

“Candidates resort to using these private (armies),” he said.

Police have said that nearly 2,000 people have been arrested across the country for violation of the election gun ban.        – With AP