EDITORIAL - Beyond lip service

As of last night the death toll in the bombing in Maguindanao was 22. The body count could go higher as 85 people were reported injured when an improvised bomb stuffed into the gas tank of a motorcycle exploded in the town of Parang. The crowd was watching a basketball championship game, and among those present was the suspected bombing target: Parang Mayor Vivencio Bataga.

This happened on Sunday, the eve of the deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy for the May elections. Investigators have concluded that the attack was related to political rivalry. It’s not even the official start yet of the campaign period, and already we are witnessing such violence. Think of what will happen as election day approaches.

As usual the government is making noises about stopping the proliferation of guns, goons and gold in the elections. It could be tricky to keep tabs on the flow of gold when there’s no complainant and both giver and recipient are keeping their mouths shut. But it’s possible to keep an eye on the guns and goons, and improvised bombs.

Mindanao can be particularly dangerous, what with authorities looking the other way when confronted with groups bristling with firepower. Peace initiatives with the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front and supposed respect for cultural or religious mores have made government forces reluctant or unable to fully enforce gun laws in Mindanao even before the election period. That attitude can result in grievous loss of lives especially during elections. Government forces must be made to understand that no one is above the law. Whether Christian or Muslim, gun laws should apply. And everyone must be on the lookout for those improvised bombs, not only because they could be used to settle political scores but also because of the persistent terrorist threat. Violence undermines the credibility of any electoral exercise and deprives voters of their choices. In the coming elections, stopping the flow of guns, goons and gold must go beyond lip service.