ILOILO – There is no culture of violence in Iloilo and the brazen killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo is less likely to happen in the province, according to the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)-Iloilo chapter.
“Kung may ara (attack on local chief executives) gid man, more on isolated cases or personal pero it (violence) is not a culture for us,” said LMP-Iloilo chapter president Mayor Rosario Mediatrix “Trixie” Fernandez of San Enrique town.
Reacting to the assassination of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo on March 4, Fernandez said the mayors in 42 Iloilo towns and component city of Passi keep a very low profile.
The LMP-Iloilo president also said rifts during election period were normal but not carried over after.
And although the Philippine National Police (PNP) identified hotspot areas in the province during the election period, the likelihood of a murder incident is far-fetched, she said.
“Daw ka far-fetched na nga maglambot sa pinatyanay nga level, although we cannot really say sa iban kay wala lang gid kita kabalo sang ila personal nga mga associations with others. But ever since ang history sang Iloilo wala man gid violence sa elections,” Fernandez added.
She also noted the day-to-day activities of the governors, congressmen and mayors in the province are peaceful and need only a few security personnel.
Since Degamo’s killing, no one has called the LMP-Iloilo president asking to review security measures for local chief executives (LCEs).
Fernandez also noticed during LMP-Iloilo chapter meetings that mayors have little police security and are instead usually accompanied by a driver and one aide.
For his part, Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas said he trusts the Ilonggos as well as the local PNP for his safety.
“It goes with the territory but I trust the Ilonggos and I do not have any enemy with a killer instinct . Furthermore, I trust the PNP in the city,” he told Panay News.
But while he has no security threat, he stressed it is still important to make sure his safety.
“Daw wala pa man so far but of course we just do everything to be safe,” Treñas responded when asked if he received any death threat.
MEETING WITH GOVERNOR AND IPPO DIRECTOR
Fernandez disclosed that mayors would have a meeting with Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. and newly-appointed Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) director, Police Colonel Ronaldo Palomo, tomorrow morning, March 9, to discuss the peace and order situation.
Among the agenda is to assess the security of LCEs and other local officials.
In case the PNP provides security detail, especially if there is imminent threat, it is up to the mayor/s whether or not they would accept them, she added.
On Monday, the Police Regional Office (PRO-6) said it would provide security personnel to LCE with security hazards.
“May mga criteria muna tayo na gagawin at there is a threat assessment. Ipapasa natin ito sa PSPG (Police Security and Protection Group) and the PNP chief will be the one to approve it, ‘yon yung mga process,” said Police Brigadier General Leo Francisco, PRO-6 director.
He also directed chiefs of police and provincial directors to coordinate with local officials in their areas of responsibility to assess the security threats of elected government officials.
Security measures for LCEs were made tighter after the strafing incident in Negros Oriental.
“I do not want to happen here what is happening around the country. I’ll see to it na appropriate security will be done at kung mabigyan kami ng tamang impormasyon, tamang aksyon rin ang gagawin ng kapulisan ng PRO-6,” Francisco added./PN
