Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia speaks before the media in a registration center in Bongao, Tawi-tawi. INQUIRER.net/John Eric Mendoza
ZAMBOANGA City, Philippines — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia on Saturday called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to shed light on the 2021 gun attack in Basilan that left a poll officer blind.
At a media conference here, Garcia presented Aknam Hasim, 49, an election officer of Maluso town in Basilan who survived the gun attack on October 2021.
READ: Comelec workers call for protection as colleague survives attack in Basilan
The Comelec chair vowed to give Hasim, 49, financial assistance as he could no longer work following the attack that left him completely blind.
“Tama po, kami po ay naninikluhod sa kanila na kung pupwede malaman man lang natin, magkaroon man lang ng linaw ang pangyayari,” Garcia said in a press conference when asked if the Comelec is calling for the PNP to give speedy resolution with the case.
(That is correct, we are imploring that if possible, at least we are made aware of what really happened. We are asking that the incident be given some clarification.)
Hasim was with his wife and daughter aboard a black Mitsubishi Adventure van when unidentified gunmen opened fire as their vehicle was passing Barangay San Rafael in Isabela City.
Hasim sustained multiple gunshot wounds in different parts of the body while his daughter Marwa Hasim Alih, 20, sustained injuries in the right leg.
Garcia said the gun attack sowed fear among Comelec officers in the area.
“Isipin niyo kasi kung hindi natin makikita yun o malalaman, malamang-lamang ganoon ang gagawin nila— sino pa ang magseserve na election officer sa lugar na yan? Isipin niyo na lang yung na-create na takot sa puso ng bawat Comelec personnel natin,” Garcia said.
( Who would want to serve as an election officer in that area? Just think of the fear this incident had created in the hearts of Comelec personnel)