CEBU, Philippines — “Withdraw or die, two bullets – one for you and one for driver.”
These are the words written on a folded piece of paper that was left at the trunk of the vehicle of former Pinamungajan mayor Geraldine Yapha, a candidate for Congress in Cebu’s Third District.
Inside the paper were two live bullets.
It was Yapha’s driver of four years, Rex Zamora, who found the note early morning yesterday. Zamora thought it was just trash but because of its weight, he decided to unfold it, and saw the bullets.
He called Yapha’s attention immediately.
After posting about the discovery on Facebook, Yapha went to the Cebu Provincial Police Office to report the incident.
Talking to reporters later, Yapha said she believes that politics has something to do with the threat.
“It has something to do with politics, I believe, kay ang nakasuwat withdrawal man. So it’s either withdraw or die, so we will not take it lightly. For the first time, nahitabo ni,” Yapha said.
She said that she has been offered up to P50 million just to withdraw from the race but this was the first time she received a death threat.
Yapha said she now plans of getting security escorts but she is reportedly more concerned of the safety of her supporters.
“Binuang ni nga duwa sa pamulitika. Ako lang, tarong lang unta. The Comelec will decide on my security and I hope tagaan og gibug-aton ang giagian nato karon (This is dirty politics. The Comelec will decide on my security and I hope they will give weight on this development),” Yapha said.
Provincial Police Director Manuel Abrugena said they will advise Yapha to also file a report with the Cebu City Police Office because the incident happened in Barangay Labangon here.
“We will be discussing the threat privately in our office. Miss Yapha can apply for security escorts following the procedures set by the higher office and the Comelec. We will be closely monitoring her activities and shall provide appropriate security coverage according to the set of rules provided by the PNP,” Abrugena said.
Yapha denied the incident is but a publicity stunt, contrary to what her opponent, John Henry Osmeña, said: “Fake news attention getting.”
Her other opponent in the Third District, Pablo John Garcia, said authorities should take threats seriously.
"The police should provide her protection and immediately investigate if the threat is genuine," he told The FREEMAN.
Garcia said he has not received any threat himself.
"No, I have not received threats, so far. If the threat is genuine, then the police should ask who would be interested and who would gain from the withdrawal of her candidacy," he said. — With May B. Miasco (FREEMAN)