ANOTHER VICTIM OF HIRED killers is Lovel Llavel, 39, a businessman, who was gunned down by two men riding in tandem on a motorcycle.

Llavel is the nth victim of guns-for-hire riding on motorcycles in Metro Manila.

A small motorcycle is often used by hired killers because it?s a good getaway vehicle. It?s fast and can easily zigzag its way through heavy traffic.

Last year, retired police Senior Supt. Wally Sombero was ambushed by four men riding in tandem in two motorcycles. He survived.

But the others were not so lucky, like Wilfredo ?Boy? Mayor, a ?jueteng? whistle-blower.

Mayor was gunned down by motorcycle-riding men after he came from a casino two weeks ago.

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I don?t have the number of victims of hired killers, but from newspaper reports and word-of-mouth accounts there should be scores of them.

Two months ago, a friend told me that while he was waiting for a ride in Valenzuela, he saw two men get down from a motorcycle and shoot a man who was taking his daughter to school.

A 72-year-old woman was killed by motorcycle-riding men while she was getting off a jeepney.

A former barangay official was killed by men on a motorcycle months ago.

When will the police go after gun-for-hire syndicates?

When the next victim is one of their own who?s high up in the totem pole of the Philippine National Police, a senator, a congressman or a prominent person?

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This is the best time for hired killers to make a killing (yes, the pun is intended for effect) because it?s election season and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has disallowed citizens from carrying firearms.

Some unscrupulous politicians and individuals may have contracted hired killers to get rid of their enemies.

Hired killers will have an easy time disposing of their unarmed targets who can?t shoot back.

There?s a saying that when you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns and good citizens won?t have a chance to fight back.

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The argument of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) against condoms because it promotes promiscuity or casual sex is just like saying that a gun promotes violence. Both arguments are foolish.

It?s according to how a condom or a gun is used that makes it good or bad.

The CBCP and Comelec are of the same mold.

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Manila Judge Silvino Pampilo Jr. has ruled that the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Task Group (PASG) is illegal, invalid and unconstitutional.

This judge is questioning the power of the President to form a task force to solve difficult problems.

But there?s more to Pampilo?s decision than meets the eye.

You see, Pampilo is a good friend of President Gloria?s husband Mike Arroyo, according to my sources in Malacañang.

Mike Arroyo?s friends are the primary targets of the PASG that President Gloria created precisely to go after them, the same sources said.

If you don?t see the connection, you?re dense.