Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The two-vehicle convoy of La Union Rep. Eufranio Eriguel was bombed at around 12 noon Saturday (April 30), in Agoo, La Union.
Eriguel was just 150 meters away from his house in Agoo when an abandoned motorcycle parked just a few meters outside his house suddenly exploded.
Fortunately, Eriguel, who was on board his Toyota Land Cruiser survived the attack.
However, the blast hit Eriguel’s back-up vehicle, a Grandia van.
“May single motor na naka-park, walang tao. Pag daan namin, pinaputok iyon. Sumabog iyon. Tinamaan iyon kasi dalawang sasakyan lang kami. Eksakto iyong back-up ko iyong tama. Kalalagpas ko lang. I am about 10 meters away from my back up kaya ang tama back-up kong sasakyan,” said Eriguel in a phone interview with CNN Philippines.
[Translation: There was a single motor parked, with no one on board. When we passed by, it was bombed. It exploded. It was hit because we had a two-vehicle convoy. My back-up vehicle was hit. The vehicle I’m in just passed by. I am about 10 meters away from my back up that’s why my back-up was the one hit.]
Two of Eriguel’s personal employees are currently in critical condition while four others suffered multiple injuries.
Death threats real?
Eriguel admits he has been receiving death threats prior to the blast today.
“Meron. Usual. Threat sa buhay,” said Eriguel. “Isa lang naman ang motibo ngayon: politika. Wala naman akong kaaway na iba. Politika lang. Wife ko is running for Congress, my daughter is running for mayor. I’m not (running) but, siyempre, may mga kandidato akong sinusuportahan.”
[Translation: There is. Usual. Threat to life. Currently, there is only one motive now: politics. I have no other enemies. This is solely politics. My wife is running for Congress, my daughter is running for mayor. I’m not (running) but, of course, there are candidates whom I support.]
Eriguel added he is also looking at the possibility that the attempt to kill him may have something to do with his outright endorsement of a national candidate.
The lawmaker is supporting the presidential bid of Vice President Jejomar Binay.
“Iyan ang malaking tanong na iniisip at pinatitignan ko kasi I am endorsing someone,” said Eriguel.
[Translation: That is, by far, the biggest question since I am endorsing someone.]
Deafening silence of authorities
Meanwhile, Binay said incidents like this make him restless, as authorities remain silent on the root causes of such “harassment” of political allies.
“Mula nang magsimula ang kampanya, mga kilalang lider at kandidato ng UNA (United Nationalist Alliance) ang naging biktima ng karahasan. Ngunit hanggang ngayon, ni wala kang marinig mula sa mga awtoridad na kongkretong hakbang na ginawa nila upang panagutin ang mga nagplano at nagsagawa ng mga krimeng ito,” the vice president said in a statement sent to CNN Philippines.
[Translation: Since the start of the campaign, prominent leaders and candidates of UNA (United Nationalist Alliance) have been the victims of violence. Up until now, we have yet to hear a significant step from authorities on how they are going to hold liable the person/s behind these crimes.]
Binay added acts of violence cripple the country’s electoral process and democracy.
“The harassment of the political opposition bodes ill for our electoral process and our democracy. Such intolerance for political dissent must not be encouraged or tolerated by government inaction,” he said.
“While we condemn these acts of harassment against UNA, let us all pray for peace in our land.”
