House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has called for calm and urged the public to cooperate with authorities following the killing of a Bulacan board member during an ambush.
Romualdez, in a statement on Friday, said the House leadership joins calls for a quick resolution to the killing of Ramil Capistrano, 56, president of Bulacan’s Association of Barangay Captains (ABC), during an ambush in San Rafael town Thursday night.
“We join the representatives from Bulacan and the Bulacan provincial government led by Gov. Daniel Fernando in pressing all our law enforcement agencies and authorities to investigate and apprehend the perpetrators quickly. Justice should be served,” Romualdez said.
“At the same time, we call on our people to stay calm and cooperate with law enforcement in the investigation,” he added.
Capistrano and his driver Shedrick Suarez were killed in the attack carried out by supposedly a lone gunman, while the victims were traveling home from Bulacan Capitol, where the official attended the weekly session of the Provincial Board.
Both died on the spot after multiple gunshot wounds.
Malolos City Police chief Col. Rommel Geneblazo said the victims were on their usual route through Barangay Ligas when a gunman opened fire on their black Mitsubishi Montero.
According to initial findings, over 20 of the more than 30 bullet holes were concentrated on the passenger side where Capistrano was seated. Two other female staffers who were with Capistrano managed to escape by jumping out of the vehicle.
READ: Bulacan board member, driver slain in gun attack
“We condemn in the strongest terms possible the ambush that killed Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member and ABC President Capistrano and his driver Suarez,” he said.
“We extend our condolences to the families of SP Capistrano and Suarez, Barangay Caingin of San Rafael municipality, and the people of Bulacan,” he added.
It is unclear if the incident is connected to politics, as the attack happened on the fourth day that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) accepted the filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2025 midterm elections.
However, the Philippines has had a long history of election-related violence, with the single-largest killing of journalists in the world happening during election time — when a convoy of media personalities and female supporters of Maguindanao 2nd District Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu were ambushed by armed men in 2009.
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.
READ: Andal Ampatuan Jr., kin guilty for Maguindanao massacre of 57 people
The killing of Capistrano, however, is not the first incident which is being looked at from a lens of election-related violence. Earlier, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said that it is denouncing the separate attacks which claimed the lives of Mohammad Usman Alamada and Elvin Moires last September 15.
CHR said that according to police reports, Alamada, a municipal councilor of Buluan City, was shot while standing with his companions in front of a roadside restaurant. Moires on the other hand was a Teduray leader from Barangay South Upi, who was killed after attending a tribal wedding ceremony.
“Both men were declared dead due to multiple gunshot wounds. Authorities in the area have taken swift action to identify the perpetrators and ensure accountability. We acknowledge the prompt response of the local authorities and emphasize the importance of delivering justice to the victims’ families,” CHR said.
Furthermore, the Commission said it is important that Filipinos feel safe during this upcoming elections.
“With the upcoming elections, it is crucial that every Filipino feels safe and secure in participating in political activities without fear of violence. A truly democratic nation ensures that its citizens can participate freely in political affairs,” CHR said.
“Furthermore, it is essential to enhance the protection of indigenous peoples. As duty-bearers, we must increase awareness of their struggles and work toward enacting laws and policies that offer comprehensive protection against harassment and violence,” it added.