Fatal Election Day shooting prompts regional reflection
BACOLOD CITY – Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia expressed hope that the fatal Election Day shooting incident in Silay City, Negros Occidental will serve as a crucial learning experience. He emphasized that the lesson should extend beyond the immediate barangay to encompass the entire Negros Island Region.
“Sana yung nangyaring kaso diyan sa Silay that would be a learning lesson. Hindi lamang sa barangay kundi sa buong Negros Island Region (NIR),” Garcia said during a press briefing at Seda Capitol Central. The event was part of Comelec’s post-election evaluation efforts in Negros Occidental.
Despite the tragic event, Garcia believes that this violent incident should not dictate how Comelec approaches the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE).
“Bagamat may pangyayari sa Silay sa akin pong palagay, hindi ito dapat maging basehan kung ano gagawin ng Comelec pagdating ng barangay and SK elections. Nakakalungkot na may ganung klaseng violence,” he added.
Vote-buying context remains a key focus
Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda Jr. echoed Garcia’s sentiments but stressed that the Silay City incident would remain a critical reference in tackling vote-buying.
“We’re not going to look back and see what happened in the past as far as our actions in addressing violence is concerned. But as far as vote-buying is concerned, which is an equal initiative of ours, we will not forget what happened in Silay because what happened in Silay happened in a vote-buying context,” Maceda explained.
He noted that during the incident, local residents were vigilant in guarding against suspected vote-buying activities.
“It was bittersweet, hindi natuloy ang vote-buying but it was at the cost of the lives of some people, of our countrymen. In order to honor or not to forget their sacrifice, we will make sure that in the BSKE, the area where this happened, we will focus the spotlight on them to make sure hindi na mauulit ang ganyang pangyayari,” Maceda added.
Details of the Silay City election violence
Authorities reported that around 7 a.m. on May 12, Barangay Lantad Chairman Arnie Benedicto, accompanied by unidentified men, opened fire in front of a political headquarters at Purok Ipil-Ipil, Barangay Mambulac. The attack resulted in the deaths of two people and injured seven others.
The victims were reportedly monitoring for suspected vote-buying in the area when the shooting occurred.
Benedicto, along with three others, faces charges of murder and frustrated murder in court, according to sources.
Moving forward for safer elections
The election authorities remain determined to handle the case properly and swiftly. They aim to prevent similar violence from recurring in future elections by intensifying vigilance and enforcement in areas affected by past incidents.
“We hope we will be able to resolve the case immediately,” Garcia concluded.
For more news and updates on election violence, visit Filipinokami.com.