EDITORIAL - Early violence

Police say Peter Joemel Advincula, who claimed to be “Bikoy” in a controversial video, has admitted killing three candidates for local positions in Sorsogon. Police also believe a witness can pin down Advincula for the murders.

Considering that the crime will put Advincula away for life, however, and considering his propensity for lying, unearthing the truth in the murders of Councilor Helen Garay, businesswoman Karen Averilla and businessman Xavier Mirasol remains uncertain.

Garay was running for vice mayor while the two other victims filed candidacies for councilor in the town of Donsol, Sorsogon. The three were found dead last Thursday in Advincula’s rented unit in a building in Daraga, Albay. Advincula’s partner Agnes Abo is an independent candidate for mayor in Donsol.

Whether or not Advincula reverses his admission, probers are eyeing politics as the motive for the murders. The official campaign period for local races is still a few months away. The murders of candidates in a third class municipality with only 27,794 registered voters as of 2019 does not bode well for the conduct of peaceful and orderly elections next year.

Murdering opponents has long been the ultimate way of eliminating political rivals in this country, with the weakness of the criminal justice system allowing perpetrators to get away with their crime. Mere suspicion that someone is planning to run in upcoming elections can be inviting assassination – especially if the challenge will be hurled at an entrenched clan or power bloc. The Maguindanao massacre in November 2009, perpetrated by the Ampatuan clan, was just the worst example of this mindset.

People are aware of how to stop the impunity – by catching and punishing the perpetrators, by intensifying the enforcement of gun laws and by strengthening the rule of law. All of these measures, unfortunately, are a work in progress, and some of the perpetrators are state security forces themselves. The murders in Sorsogon should alert authorities to do more to prevent election violence.

EDITORIAL - Early violence

Police say Peter Joemel Advincula, who claimed to be “Bikoy” in a controversial video, has admitted killing three candidates for local positions in Sorsogon. Police also believe a witness can pin down Advincula for the murders.

Considering that the crime will put Advincula away for life, however, and considering his propensity for lying, unearthing the truth in the murders of Councilor Helen Garay, businesswoman Karen Averilla and businessman Xavier Mirasol remains uncertain.

Garay was running for vice mayor while the two other victims filed candidacies for councilor in the town of Donsol, Sorsogon. The three were found dead last Thursday in Advincula’s rented unit in a building in Daraga, Albay. Advincula’s partner Agnes Abo is an independent candidate for mayor in Donsol.

Whether or not Advincula reverses his admission, probers are eyeing politics as the motive for the murders. The official campaign period for local races is still a few months away. The murders of candidates in a third class municipality with only 27,794 registered voters as of 2019 does not bode well for the conduct of peaceful and orderly elections next year.

Murdering opponents has long been the ultimate way of eliminating political rivals in this country, with the weakness of the criminal justice system allowing perpetrators to get away with their crime. Mere suspicion that someone is planning to run in upcoming elections can be inviting assassination – especially if the challenge will be hurled at an entrenched clan or power bloc. The Maguindanao massacre in November 2009, perpetrated by the Ampatuan clan, was just the worst example of this mindset.

People are aware of how to stop the impunity – by catching and punishing the perpetrators, by intensifying the enforcement of gun laws and by strengthening the rule of law. All of these measures, unfortunately, are a work in progress, and some of the perpetrators are state security forces themselves. The murders in Sorsogon should alert authorities to do more to prevent election violence.