Binay condemns attack on UNA party mate in La Union

Vice President Jejomar Binay

LUCENA CITY—Vice President Jejomar Binay on Saturday condemned the attack on the convoy of outgoing La Union Rep. Eufranio Eriguel, saying he was bothered by the incident that involved his party mate in the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

“Mula nang magsimula ang kampanya, mga kilalang lider at kandidato ng UNA ang naging biktima ng karahasan ngunit sa ngayon ni wala kang marinig sa mga awtoridad sa konkretong hakbang na ginawa nila upang panagutin ang mga nagsagawa ng mga krimeng ito (Since the campaign period began, known UNA leaders and candidates had become targets of violent attacks but until now, we have yet to hear from authorities about the concrete steps they took to solve these crimes),” Binay, the standard-bearer of UNA, told reporters in this Quezon provincial capital where he addressed barangay leaders of Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon).

Binay, however, did not name the UNA candidates and leaders who, he said, were victims of politically motivated attacks.

Eriguel, who is representing La Union’s second district, was unhurt when a bomb planted on a motorcycle exploded as his convoy passed through Agoo town’s Sta. Barbara village on Saturday morning.

Eriguel is not seeking any post in this year’s elections. His wife, Agoo Mayor Sandra Eriguel, is running for representative while their daughter, Stephanie, is running for Agoo mayor.

“The harassment of the political opposition bodes ill for our electoral process and our democracy … We condemn these acts of harassment against UNA. Let us all pray for peace in our land,” Binay said, reading from a prepared statement.

He said he was praying that rival political groups and candidates would not resort to violence as the campaign enters its homestretch.

“Ipanalangin po natin na … huwag magkakasakitan dahil lamang sa halalan (We should pray that no one would be harmed just because of the elections),” Binay said.