THE LOCAL police have been directed to resolve the failed murder attempt on the mayor of San Fernando town in Cebu last Tuesday, which is suspected to be politically-motivated. Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Oscar D. Albayalde, in a chance interview with reporters on Wednesday in Manila, said San Fernando Mayor Lakambini G. Reluya, who is running for reelection in May, herself has indicated that she believes that politics is behind the ambush. Ms. Reluya was riding across Talisay City going to Cebu City on Tuesday night when still unidentified gunmen shot at her van multiple times. The mayor’s husband, Barangay Chairman Ricardo Reluya Jr., and two of their companions died on the spot. Ms. Reluya and two others were wounded. “First of all, what we can do here is to intensify our investigation… and I gave the provincial director there and the chief of police two weeks to solve this case,” said Mr. Albayalde in mixed Filipino and English. Meanwhile, Malacañang on Wednesday said the PNP has been ordered to monitor election hotspots in the country following the Reluya attack. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo, in a statement, said, “During election period, political rivalry is fever pitch resulting in the upsurge of election-related violence. This unfortunate and standard norm cannot continue and the culture of violence that has characterized the electoral process will have to end.” He also urged the public to be vigilant, and “put to notice law enforcement authorities on any brewing electoral violence between and among the candidates and their followers in their respective localities.” — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras and Arjay L. Balinbin

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