Recent political killings linked to 2016 polls

By: Julliane Love De Jesus - 10 years ago

PNP-PIO chief Reuben Theodore Sindac INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—As the number of killings related to local politics escalates, the Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed to beef up security as the May 2016 election nears.

Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP Public Information Office chief, said in an interview that the recent spate of political killings in the local scene marks the start of the “election fever.”

“More or less, the approaching local elections is one of the possible reasons behind the series of killings especially in the local scene,” Sindac said.

He added that these killings are part of “internal maneuverings” among political rivals in preparation for the elections.

With this, Director General Alan Purisima, PNP chief, ordered the entire PNP forces to bolster security in all regions.

“We were told to intensify the checkpoints,‎ inspection of firearms as well as the service of arrest warrants,” he added.