Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) – Philippine politicians know only too well they can be targets of deadly attacks any time. And that threat increases multiple times during elections.
For instance, San Carlos City Mayor Ayoy Resuello’s father was shot dead during the election season in 2007. He said the culprits have not been punished.
He added he now receives death threats.
“As of now, nahihirapan yung mga kandidato mismo. Mga lawless elements, pwedeng pwede magdala ng baril. Kami, wala man lang kaming kaprote-proteksyon sa sarili namin,” he said.
[Translation: “As of now, candidates are facing difficulties. There are lawless elements who can carry guns. But we do not have the means to protect ourselves.”]
A gun ban during the election period covers almost everyone in the country. Bodyguards are also prohibited.
Poll: What do you think of the election gun ban?
Mayors, vice mayors and those holding lower positions are not exempted from the gun ban.
City mayors asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday (January 29) to allow them to carry guns and have body guards during the election season.
Members of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) said they are more vulnerable to election violence than national officials because they are down on the ground where they are exposed to danger daily.
“Well it’s very urgent because given the expanse of what has happened in our particular areas, some have personal encounters. For myself, the threat still remains because I was one of the witnesses who filed a case against the MNLF for the attack against Zamboanga,” Zamboanga City mayor Beng Climaco said.
Also read: 6 persons in Maguindanao apprehended for violating election gun ban
Comelec: Ballot better than bullet
The mayors made their request to Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista who attended their convention in Tagaytay City to demonstrate the new vote counting machines for the May 9 polls.
Bautista said they have valid concerns and he will consult the other members of the poll body regarding this.
Bautista is taking the vote counting machines on a roadshow in an effort to build trust in the elections and send the message that the ballot is better than the bullet.
Related: Comelec checkpoints set up nationwide
