Too many disturbing events happened in just a short time in Sarangani this week ? none more appalling than the morbid attempt on re-electionist Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez.
Propaganda war ? black or otherwise – is a norm in Philippine election. That is a fact.
But when violence takes over, it altogether alters the political landscape.
At the core of this issue are two local political parties battling to gain control over politics in the province.
Dominguez is eyeing a third and final term as governor and has on his slate newcomer Roy Chiongbian who is trying to take over the congressional seat that is being vacated by elder brother Erwin.
The two are the standard bearers of Sarangani Reconciliation and Reformation Organization (Sarro), a local party allied with the ruling Lakas-KAMPI-CMD party.
On the other side of the political fence is the People?s Champ Movement (PCM), a party built around Filipino world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, attempting to win a congressional seat for the second time after a failed attempt in nearby General Santos City.
Pacquiao has thrown his hat on namesake Manny Villar as his choice for president.
The political animosity between these two local parties – one well-entrenched, the other moneyed upstart ? is threatening to crescendo into a violent confrontation.
The disarming of five people Monday evening in Margus, Glan town in Sarangani is likely to reinforce the fear of political violence erupting out of control.
While the allegation of reported ambush attempt involving those people may be doubtful, there is no escaping the fact that firearms were found inside a van registered under the name of Pacquiao?s wife Jinkee.
My unimpeachable source said, contrary to the denials made by Pacquiao and his camp, those five persons arrested in connection with the discovery of an M16 Armalite rifle and a .45 caliber pistol were indeed campaigners of the boxing champion.
Why they were armed in violation of the Commission on Election gun ban, is something police authorities should look into thoroughly. If necessary, trace the origin and ownership of those firearms.
I was told that Pacquiao sought an exemption to the gun ban and that the regional office of the Comelec here denied his petition. But my other source said the office of the Presidential Security Guard interceded on his behalf and issued an exemption for 12 high-powered firearms.
Covered by the gun ban exemption are security details for Pacquiao?s immediate family members to include his wife, mother and brothers.
Are the firearms found in the possession of his campaigners included in the firearms list submitted by Pacquiao that were covered by the exemption? If yes, what business are those campaigners bringing them without the people they are supposed to provide security? Or are they really legitimate security officers of the boxing champion?
If, as initially alleged by the camp of Pacquiao that the five suspects were strangers who flagged down the drivers of the two vans, why are Manny?s lawyers not filing cases of carnapping (armed robbery) and serious illegal detention against them?
Why in heaven?s name are the suspects being provided legal counsel by a known Pacquiao lawyer instead?
Why are Manny and his allies painting the incident and the roadside bombing attempt against Dominguez as morbid drama and concocted scenarios of their political opponents to win sympathy and votes?
Why not condemn them and asked for thorough investigation instead of hastily making conclusions?
Or are they hiding some facts? Fact that some of his allies are maybe armed and dangerous.
