The camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay on Monday condemned the killing of youth leader and councilor bet Emmanuel Peña as well as the ambush attempt on Laguna mayor Buenafrido Berris, who were both members of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).
In a statement, UNA spokesperson Mon Ilagan lamented the election violence that resulted in the death of Peña, a University of the Philippines Los Banos cum laude graduate and a public school teacher running as Laguna councilor under UNA.
Peña was killed while Calauan mayor Berris was wounded in an ambush by still unidentified men in Barangay Imok in Calauan on Sunday. Berris’ driver Leonardo Taningco was also killed in the attack. Berris is running for reelection.
READ: Laguna mayor wounded in gun attack, 2 killed
The ambush happened just a day after the start of the local campaign period.
“These unfortunate incidences of political violence have claimed the lives of people who despise violence. The atmosphere of carnage has become extremely callous and cruel. Calauan just lost a great future leader with the death of Emman Peña,” Ilagan said.
“Ang maruming laro ng politika ay muling kumitil ng buhay sa tahimik na bayan ng Calauan. Isang patraydor na hakbang ng mga taong hindi kayang matanggap ang pagkatalo kaya dinadaan ang kanilang mensahe sa bala imbes na boto,” he added.
Ilagan said Binay extends his condolences to the families of the victims.
Ilagan lamented the assassination attempts against the opposition, adding that Peña is the fourth member of UNA killed since the campaign began.
“Lubhang nalulungkot sa Vice President Jejomar Binay sa sunod-sunod na karahasan sa hanay ng mga miyembro at mga taga-suporta ng UNA. Mariing kinokondena namin ang pagpatay kay Emman at ang balak na pagpaslang kay Mayor Berris,” Ilagan said.
“Inihahatid ni Vice President Jejomar Binay ang kanyang pakikiramay sa pamilya at mga naiwang mahal sa buhay ni Emman at ang driver na nadamay sa insidente. Dalangin namin ang mabilis na paggaling ni Mayor Berris at kaisa ang UNA sa panawagan ng maagang pagdating ng hustisya sa mga biktima ng political violence,” he added. JE