How many politicians have been assassinated this year? Too many. Across the nation motorcycle riding men regularly and with impunity hunt and gun down local politicians. Who is behind these killings? No one knows and most of these cases go unsolved because either there are no witnesses or witnesses are too scared of retaliation to speak up. These victims should not be forgotten. Their blood cries out from the earth and condemns the evil political system ensnaring the Philippines.
And yet the PNP dares to proclaim Everything is Awesome.
Throughout the year I have been keeping track of all the political assassinations happening in the Philippines. Since I have only been keeping score since March my list is incomplete. There were several more murders in January and February as well and certainly a few that went unreported. Be that as it may let this list be a reminder of what Philippine politics is really like: violently nihilistic.
And yet the PNP dares to proclaim Everything is Awesome.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1066109/peace-and-order-situation-nationwide-better-albayalde |
Even with the recent killing of an incumbent lawmaker and a former town mayor on the very same day, the peace and order situation nationwide is far better now, according to Director General Oscar Albayalde, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
He pointed out that from Oct. 1 to Dec. 23, 2018, there were only 23 to 26 killings related to the runup to the May 2019 elections.Why did Albayalde choose statistics for only three months of the year instead of the whole year? More than 23 to 26 (he cant even get a specific number!) political murders happened this year. What about the 2018 elections back in May? What about those politicians targeted out of revenge and not because of the elections? To pick only three months out of the year to represent the "peace and order situation" in the Philippines is incredibly dishonest and despicable. The residents of Panganisan disagree heartily with the PNP Chief's assessment.
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| https://www.rappler.com/nation/219586-christmas-eve-scared-pangasinan-residents-open-letter-duterte |
In an open letter published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Monday, December 24, they appealed for help from the government to end the violence in the province that they claim has been rampant in the months leading to the May 2019 elections.
(We are appealing for help in our quest for justice. Our dear President, we are scared, threatened, and saddened over the continuous violence happening in Pangasinan.)
Included also were a number of barangay officials such as the late barangay captain Froilan Agbayani who was killed in Barangay Sto Domingo in Sual on June 8, and barangay kagawad Domingo Dominguez of San Fabian who was gunned down on November 27, among others.
According to the families, they still feel scared as the cases are yet to be resolved. They urge the President to address the incidents through the local police.
(Help us with the justice that we seek by ordering the local police to focus on resolving these violent cases. If they do not focus on these cases, fear will continue to reign. How many more families will lose a loved one?)I missed the story about Agbayani and I cannot find any news about the death of Domingo Dominguez but I have included both of those men on this list. As for the "others", that speaks for itself. How many "others" are there across the country?
Throughout the year I have been keeping track of all the political assassinations happening in the Philippines. Since I have only been keeping score since March my list is incomplete. There were several more murders in January and February as well and certainly a few that went unreported. Be that as it may let this list be a reminder of what Philippine politics is really like: violently nihilistic.
1. Alexander Alicaway
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2. Dela Rita
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| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/979582/negros-oriental-exec-killed-in-ambush |
3. Joaquin Sardon Segumban
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| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/979970/news-carmen-north-cotabato-ambush |
4. Danilo Daanton
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| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/984250/barangay-chief-shot-dead-in-compostela-valley |
5. Usan Assani
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| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/984429/4-killed-in-poll-related-violence-in-basilan |
6. Rodolfo Venturina
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| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/985804/ex-village-chief-killed-wife-hurt-by-motorcycle-riding-men-in-bulacan |
7. Elvis Asis
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| https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/04/29/1810518/barangay-polls-heat-bet-killed-capiz |
8. Armando Dela Cruz
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| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/987934/news-pangasinan-urdaneta-manaoag-shooting |
9. Aristeo Ilao
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| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/989059/quezon-town-councilor-gunned-down-inside-home |
10. Rodolfo Ambong
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12. John Paul Cristobal
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| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/999061/sk-councilor-4-others-dead-in-masbate-shooting |
13. Ruben Aureada Carabido
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| https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/06/12/quezon-village-chief-batangas-poll-exec-slain/ |
14. Pudi Ambalgan
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| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1002924/village-chief-shot-dead-while-attending-a-farmers-congress |
15. Antonio Halili
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| https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/07/02/1829880/controversial-tanauan-mayor-halili-shot-dead-during-flag-raising-ceremony |
16. Ferdinand Bote
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| https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/07/03/1830249/nueva-ecija-mayor-killed-day-after-halili-murder |
18. Nassif Palawan Bansil
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| http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/659583/town-councilor-shot-dead-3-others-hurt-in-lanao-del-sur/story/ |
19 and 20. Mark Anthony Giray and Michael Magellanes
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| https://www.philstar.com/nation/2018/07/08/1831511/barangay-execs-drug-suspects-slain-shootings |
22. Glen Mark Manal
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23. Al Rashid Mohammad Ali Lipae
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| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1009553/duterte-concerned-over-slay-of-tawi-tawi-vice-mayor-solon |
25. Ferdinand Ramos
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| https://www.rappler.com/nation/207322-batangas-barangay-councilor-shooting-july-14-2018 |
26. Art Stephen Bas
27. Alfredo Alvarez
28. Rosalie Pascual
29. Jovie Decena
30. Joemy Gelacio
31. Eric Tupas
32. Mario Gonzales
34. Mariano Blanco
35. Wendell Alilin
36. Buanito Buan
37. Mohammad Tasil
39. Alexander Buquing
41. Julie Chua
42. Ananias Rebato
43. Juanito Sana
44. Mark Ferdinand "Dindin" Bas
45. Naldie Neri Secretario
46. Jose Bugbog
47. Emmelio Guab
48. Antonio De Ocampo
49. Jose Alan Joson
50. Badwe Ameril
52. Kedteg Ayob
53. Al-fred Concepcion
55. Nelson Ligaya
56. Frederick Valin
57. Ahmad Kumayog
59. Joelito Talaid
60. Romulo Agbayani
61. Domingo Dominguez
And now for the final dead politician and the biggest fish in this whole pond:
62. Rodel Batocabe
This man is no LGU. He is no petty local politician. He is a Congressman. A Congressman who was in the run for mayor of his hometown but still a Congressman. While the assassination of several mayors this year prompted outrage and calls for swift justice the uproar around the death of this man has been much louder due to his status.
So far his colleagues have raised P50-million in reward money, the NBI has joined the investigation, and VP Leni Robredo has spoken out about how "this must not be the new normal."
People are outraged that a Congressman was gunned down in a crowd in such a bold manner but let us not forget about all the other politicians, from councilmen to mayors to barangay captains, who were also gunned down in crowds or on the job or at their homes in their bed while asleep with their children.
More police will not fix this problem. The problem lies within. There are many who see revenge and violence as a way to get what they want. It is that kind of thinking which must change. Without a sea change in the thought and worldview of Filipinos this country will remain awash in the blood of politicians.
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| https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1753740/Cebu/Local-News/Village-councilor-gunned-down-in-Cebu |
27. Alfredo Alvarez
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| https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1753740/Cebu/Local-News/Village-councilor-gunned-down-in-Cebu |
28. Rosalie Pascual
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| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1017402/village-councilor-gunned-down-in-occidental-mindoro |
29. Jovie Decena
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| https://www.rappler.com/nation/209166-barangay-chairman-jovie-decena-shot-dead-august-8-2018 |
30. Joemy Gelacio
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| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1023244/village-chief-shot-dead-in-isabela-negros-occidental |
31. Eric Tupas
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| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1025136/village-chief-3-others-killed-in-masbate-shooting-incidents |
32. Mario Gonzales
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| http://www.visayandailystar.com/2018/August/31/topstory2.htm |
33. Alberto Canuman
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| https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/02/18/dating-punong-barangay-sa-bukidnon-patay-sa-pamamaril |
34. Mariano Blanco
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| http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/192558/mayor-shot-dead-inside-town-hall |
35. Wendell Alilin
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| http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/193051/former-barangay-councilor-brother-shot-dead-mandaue-city |
36. Buanito Buan
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1033790/former-barangay-chairman-shot-dead-in-pandacan-manila |
37. Mohammad Tasil
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| http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1048739 |
38. Orle Epsina
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1037444/ex-village-chief-in-davao-del-sur-town-slain |
39. Alexander Buquing
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| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1038032/la-union-town-mayor-along-with-driver-and-cop-killed-in-ambush |
40. Jesus "Boyet" Angeles
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1039774/pampanga-vice-mayoral-bet-dies-in-hospital-after-saturday-morning-attack |
41. Julie Chua
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1039789/village-chair-slain-in-gold-rich-town-in-agusan-del-sur |
42. Ananias Rebato
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1042636/samar-ambush-ex-mayor-of-san-jose-buan-town-dies |
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1040598/ex-village-chief-gunned-down-in-ecija |
44. Mark Ferdinand "Dindin" Bas
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| https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1768109/Cebu/Local-News/Former-Barangay-Lagtang-village-chief-gunned-down-in-Sibonga-Cebu |
45. Naldie Neri Secretario
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| https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/10/10/cavite-village-head-killed-4-injured-in-shooting-attack/ |
46. Jose Bugbog
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| https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/10/12/former-councilor-of-cordon-isabela-gunned-down/ |
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1042404/village-councilor-shot-dead-in-sorsogon |
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1042458/town-councilor-1-other-die-in-separate-masbate-shootings |
49. Jose Alan Joson
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1045382/bet-for-councilor-shot-twice-in-head-in-nueva-ecija |
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| http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1051876 |
51. Rhod Ubpon
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| http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1052084 |
52. Kedteg Ayob
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| http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1052295 |
53. Al-fred Concepcion
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| https://www.rappler.com/nation/216654-la-union-al-fred-concepcion-security-escort-killed-in-ambush-november-14-2018 |
54. Levin Uy
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1054256/former-town-councilor-killed-in-pangasinan |
55. Nelson Ligaya
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| https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1776921/Bacolod/Local-News/Village-chief-gunned-down-in-Bacolod-City |
56. Frederick Valin
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| https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/12/03/former-village-chairman-slain/ |
57. Ahmad Kumayog
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1062740/north-cotabato-village-treasurer-gunned-down |
58. Benjamin Oculto
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1063710/pangasinan-vice-mayoral-candidate-shot-dead |
59. Joelito Talaid
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| https://www.rappler.com/nation/219464-joelito-talaid-killed-ambush-december-2018 |
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/998840/newly-elected-village-chief-killed-in-pangasinan-town |
61. Domingo Dominguez
"barangay kagawad Domingo Dominguez of San Fabian who was gunned down on November 27, among others."
https://www.rappler.com/nation/219586-christmas-eve-scared-pangasinan-residents-open-letter-duterte
And now for the final dead politician and the biggest fish in this whole pond:
62. Rodel Batocabe
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| http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/12/22/rodel-batocabe-death-ako-bicol.html |
So far his colleagues have raised P50-million in reward money, the NBI has joined the investigation, and VP Leni Robredo has spoken out about how "this must not be the new normal."
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| https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/22/18/batocabe-murder-must-not-be-the-new-normal-robredo-says |
Robredo added: "Beyond my personal grief at his passing, is the growing rage at yet another brazen murder, committed in broad daylight, in the middle of a crowd.
"This cannot, and must not be the new normal. When Filipinos, young and old, rich and poor, are gunned down in cold blood as a matter of course, and where none of us can feel safe."
"This impunity must end," Robredo said, offering her sympathies to Batocabe's wife, Gertie, and their family.Sorry to inform Mrs. Robredo and everyone else but this is not a new normal. The brazen killing of politicians is not a new thing. It is the continuation of an old thing. It is Philippine politics at its worst but it is still Philippine politics and as such it is business as usual. Every election period the PNP has to send in the troops and declare gun bans to quell the violence which still occurs despite the precautions taken. Even when there is no election the bodies still pile up.
People are outraged that a Congressman was gunned down in a crowd in such a bold manner but let us not forget about all the other politicians, from councilmen to mayors to barangay captains, who were also gunned down in crowds or on the job or at their homes in their bed while asleep with their children.
More police will not fix this problem. The problem lies within. There are many who see revenge and violence as a way to get what they want. It is that kind of thinking which must change. Without a sea change in the thought and worldview of Filipinos this country will remain awash in the blood of politicians.
