Philippine mayor in deadly ambush "Gunmen have killed at least 10 people in an ambush on a local mayor in the southern Philippines, police say. The attack took place in southern Mindanao on Thursday, as the group returned from a campaign event ahead of elections on 13 May. Abdulmalik Manamparan, mayor of Nunungan town, survived the attack, but a number of his relatives were said to be among the dead. Violent incidents often occur in the run-up to elections in the Philippines." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22305347
Another Revilla supporter ambushed in Cavite "An ambush in Bacoor City, Cavite, killed two and wounded a local official on Thursday night, April 25. Two suspects riding in two separate motorcycles opened fire on barangay chairwoman Catherine Palabrica, a supporter of the Revilla political clan, and her two companions who were on their way to a campaign rally. The armed men, who were said to be wearing police jackets, surrounded their vehicle on both sides. Once it overtook the car, they started shooting with M-16 rifles, then left the scene immediately." http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections-2013/27561-cavite-ambush-revilla-supporter
Biazon aide shoots 3 in campaign caucus "A security aide of Customs Commissioner Rufino Biazon allegedly shot three people during a scuffle at a campaign caucus of the Liberal Party (LP) in Muntinlupa City Friday night. Charges have yet to be filed against Marine Cpl. Nelson Lubrin, who fled to the Philippine Marines headquarters at Fort Bonifacio after the shooting. Col. Fernando Gomez surrendered Lubrin to the Muntinlupa police at past 4 a.m. yesterday. “We are still waiting for complainants to appear,” city police chief Senior Superintendent Roque Vega said. Police said that prior to the shooting, Lubrin was at the LP caucus at a covered court in Barangay Putatan at about 10 p.m. when he got into a fistfight with Nilo Marullano, an aide of another LP politician, with whom Lubrin has a long-standing conflict. Victor Marullano and Oscar Parajili, also aides of other LP politicians, joined the fight. Police said it was at this point that Lubrin drew his .45 caliber pistol and shot at the three men hitting them in the arms and abdomen." http://www.philstar.com/election-2013/news/2013/04/28/935775/biazon-aide-shoots-3-campaign-caucus
Roxas: Election violence down in 2013 "The number of election-related violent incidents (ERVIs) so far this year is much lower than those recorded in previous election periods, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said. Roxas said the Philippine National Police (PNP) has recorded only 17 validated ERVIs and claimed that this figure "compares favorably" with the 33 ERVIs recorded in the 2010 elections and 23 ERVIs in the 2007 polls. From January 10 to April 26, a total of 12 people were killed, four were wounded, while one was unharmed in the ERVIs recorded in the 15 poll hotspots in the country, according to Roxas. He also clarified that last week's ambush on the convoy of Nunungan, Lanao del Norte mayor Abdul Manamparan cannot be considered as an ERVI because the established motive was clan war due to land dispute and blood debts from the warring factions. "This means such incident could transpire even there is no election," Roxas said. Meanwhile, data from the website of the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (didm.pnp.gov.ph) show that a total of 84 incidents, including those non-election related, were recorded from January 13 to April 25. A total of 141 victims (64 killed, 54 wounded, 23 unharmed), including 78 elected government officials, were recorded from these incidents. The PNP's implementation of the election gun ban has also netted 2,845 violators and hauled 2,684 firearms as of April 30." http://www.philstar.com/election-2013/2013/05/01/937068/roxas-election-violence-down-2013
Mayoral candidate shot dead in Tarlac "A mayoral candidate in Tarlac province was shot and killed while he was campaigning. - Top Story, ANC, May 7, 2013" http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/regions/05/07/13/mayoral-candidate-shot-dead-tarlac
Oh, and as of tomorrow night, no beer sales... or as a Filipino friend puts it - "panic buying begins now..."
I hate election time in Philippines. We were in Marikina one time and moving around was almost impossible. Why they have to have such huge convoys blocking everything is just beyond me. Nothing you can do about it, just sit around and enjoy a beer and a chinwag. Just DON'T mention politics
My wife has just confirmed the bit about the alcohol ban and why. LOL Philippines election violence steps up before polls Manila: "Two people died, including the husband of a Central Philippines mayoralty candidate as violence stepped up a week before Filipinos take to the polls for the mid-term elections. A report reaching Manila said Jun Apura and his companion identified only as Espaldon were ambushed by heavily armed men in the village of Anabo in Lemery, Iloilo at around 9am on Monday, mortally wounding the two who later died at a local hospital. Jun Apura is the husband of Mayor Ligaya Apura who is seeking reelection. According to state-run Philippine News Agency, police who conducted pursuit operations arrested a certain Mario Cobarubias. The suspect was caught in possession of an assault rifle and two hand grenades." http://gulfnews.com/news/world/phil...tion-violence-steps-up-before-polls-1.1180034 "Philippine elections are traditionally violent with assassination of candidates and killing of supporters as standard fixtures, however, the recent developments show actual hostilities taking place in the open and witnessed by the people." :shock:
My wife tells me that campaigners have been to her house in Dasmarinas and given her sister 500 pesos and some groceries in return for her vote!
She should see if she can get more groceries and pesos from the other lot. Vote buying works because so many people are basically honest and "stay bought", but a secret ballot is a secret ballot!
I wonder if more people get killed per million voters than in, say, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia? The economic impact of an election is enormous, with all the bribery, vote buying, parties and distribution of largesse. There are families who only eat well at election time. "I'ts democracy, Jim, but not as we know it!"
Voters in Tag B received an average payout of 6,500 Pesos each. More power to them!! (at least until after the elections)
No need to bribe voters in Davao. The Dutertes, father and son, are running unopposed as Mayor and Vice-Mayor!
The lot who handed over the 500 pesos and groceries are not good at running a committee room. The UK equivalent would be offering a car to the polling station to your opponents, due to sloppy canvass returns!
