Isinulong ni Senador Risa Hontiveros ang Philippine Senate Resolution No. 518 na naglalayong magkaroon ng imbestigasyon sa mga political killing, kasunod ng pagpatay kay Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.

“These killers are so emboldened, the violence happens in broad daylight. Wala na silang hiya o takot. Even more disturbing, uniformed personnel are complicit or actively involved. In the case of Gov. Degamo’s assassination, at least 5 others were also killed. This culture of impunity is a grave danger to the public,” aniya sa isang pahayag.

Dagdag ni Hontiveros na hindi ito ang unang beses na nagpatawag siya ng imbestigasyon sa mga pagpatay sa Negros Oriental. Noong 2019, namatay ang abugadong si Anthony Trinidad at iba pang sibilyan matapos ang Oplan Sauron na isang linggong pagpatay.

“We should be horrified by the frequency of political assassinations. Hindi na COMELEC ang arbiter, kundi ang gatilyo. Historical and worsening violence is corrupting our nation, in once peaceful places like Negros Oriental. Sa mahabang panahon, tumatapang lang ang mga assassins,” aniya

Sinabi rin ng mambabatas na dapat usisain ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) ang kanilang proseso sa mga karahasan na may kaugnayan sa halalan.

“Comelec’s processes have become increasingly ineffective and inefficient. The inordinate delay of Comelec en banc rulings may have aggravated vindictiveness. Election-related killings tarnish the sanctity of our elections, which [the] Comelec is responsible for protecting. Their call of duty is beyond election day,” aniya.

Binanggit rin ni Hontiveros na sa simula pa lamang ng panunungkulan ng kasalukuyang administrasyon ay may pitong nang insidente ng pagpatay at iba pang mga pagtatangka ng pagpatay sa bansa.

Kabilang dito ang mga pagtangkang pagpatay kina Cagayan Vice Mayor Rommel Almeda, Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong, Jr., Mayor Ohto Caumbo Montawal of Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur, at pagpatay kina dating Vice Mayor Danilo Amat ng Quezon, Quezon Province, dating Vice Mayor Romeo Sulit ng Lobo, Batangas, dating Mayor Rosita Furigay ng Lamitan City, Basilan at si Governor Degamo.

“A Senate investigation should be conducted not only to exact justice for the victims, but also to identify the underlying drivers of the killings, particularly the failure and inaction of our institutions, including our law enforcement agencies, to address political and election-related violence,” ayon sa resolusyon ng senador. 

Dagdag niya na lalong nakakabahala ang pagdami ng kaso ng mga pagpatay sa bansa.

“The virus of impunity continues to proliferate, and our state forces are heavily infected. How can the public trust killers masquerading as law enforcement? Who is giving the marching orders?” aniya.

Habang iniimbestigahan ng Senado ang naganap na pagpatay sa gobernador, nanawagan rin si Hontiveros sa Malacanang na magkaroon ng pahayag tungkol sa isyu bukod sa indibidwal na mga kaso ng pagpatay. 

“Huwag nating gawin normal ang patayan. The past years have encouraged murder as a default way of silencing and manipulating. Our people are not just collateral damage of political agendas. It is time for a rude awakening for those who abuse their power. The government must take a strong stand as an institution to condemn these killings and to take concrete actions to end this savagery,” aniya.

Source: House of Representatives Official Website