PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos. Photo from PNP PIO
MANILA, Philippines — Police chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos has already tasked the regional director of the Police Regional Office 4-A (PRO-4A) to form a special group that will probe the attack against Infanta, Quezon mayor Filipina Grace America.
PNP-PIO chief Brig. Gen. Roderick Alba said on Monday that aside from asking PRO-4A chief Brig. Gen. Antonio Yarra to form a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG), Carlos has gave assurance that the national support units will be available to resolve the assassination attempt on America.
America survived the ambush, merely sustaining a gunshot wound in her arm, but local police informants said that there was an intent to kill the mayor, who is seeking re-election in the May 2022 local polls.
“The Chief PNP has instructed the PNP Regional Director of Calabarzon, PBGEN Antonio Yarra to activate a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) that will coordinate all efforts of police investigative units,” Alba said.
“The CPNP is making available the personnel, capabilities, and resources of National Support Units to assist in the investigation and pursuit operations for the early solution of this case,” he added.
As a preliminary measure, Alba said local police have already set up checkpoints in an attempt to intercept the suspect. Meanwhile, he said that forensic investigators are now looking at the pieces of evidence obtained from the crime scene in Poblacion 1, Infanta.
“On other pressing matters, as we speak, checkpoint operations are continuing within the town proper of Infanta, Quezon and surrounding areas to possibly intercept suspects responsible in the shooting incident yesterday that wounded re-electionist Mayor Filipina Grace America,” Alba explained.
“Forensic investigators are now examining pieces of evidence gathered at the crime scene at Rizal corner Zamora Streets in Poblacion 1, Infanta, Quezon. We are confident that these pieces of evidence will produce leads that will assist police tracker teams in follow-up operations,” he added.
America is the latest victim of election-related violence, after Misamis Occidental Rep. Henry Oaminal and other local candidates sustained injuries due to an attack during a Christmas party last December 2021.
READ: Poll bets hurt in Misamis Occidental shooting
The Philippines has had a history of violent elections, especially in provinces where electoral races between rivals and families can get tight and intense. In November 2009, the wife of Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Esmael Magudadatu and 57 others — including 32 media workers — were killed as Mangudadatu’s camp made their way to file the official’s certificate of candidacy.
The so-called Maguindanao Massacre, which was also the single largest attack on media practitioners stemmed from the electoral race between the Ampatuans and the Mangudadatus.
Mangudadatu was then seeking the gubernatorial seat of Maguindanao, challenging the Ampatuans’ grip on the province. Members of the Ampatuan clan including former Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. were convicted last December 2019 for the incident.
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