Number of Region 6 politicians with death threats rising

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – As the midterm elections near, the number of politicians in Western Visayas who have supposedly received death threats is rising.

Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz, Jr., Region 6 police director, confirmed yesterday that they have received a number of reports of politicians, mostly from Iloilo and Negros Occidental, getting supposed death threats.

When asked how many politicians are perceived to be under threat, Cruz declined to give an estimate, except saying that most of them are mayors.

These politicians, who have supposedly received threats through letters, text messages, and even calls, have asked for police bodyguards, Cruz said.

Police sources said at least 55 politicians in Western Visayas have sought police escorts.

“We take all these threat reports seriously… We are verifying all reports that we have received,” Cruz said, adding that police intelligence operatives have been alerted on the presence of guns-for-hire.

For now, Cruz advised local politicians to report any threat to their safety and to take extra precautions.