MikeLigalig.com

Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos has called for an end to the culture of political violence in the face of a number of high-profile political killings registered in the province.

The governor made the call following yet another killing recently when Adams councilor Elpedio Sy was shot dead by still unidentified armed men.

“I need your help. Together, we must put an end to this culture of political violence,” Marcos told her constituents.

The governor admitted that the killings prodded her to strengthen the peace and order campaign in the province with the setting up of checkpoints and mobile searches even before the Commission on Elections imposed a gun ban in connection with the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on Oct. 25.

Marcos is hopeful that the checkpoints would result in the reduction of the number of loose firearms in the hands of civilians.

“If there are no guns, then no one would be gunned down,” she said.

She said the Philippine National Police has also increased its police visibility while security teams have been mobilized to guard key infrastructures such as the Laoag International Airport, the Currimao seaport, the provincial capitol and areas that are known to be crime-prone areas and ambush zones.

On the other hand, police visibility has been improved with the support of barangay patrols and tanods.

Marcos recalled that in the past, board member Robert Castro and barangay chairman Geoffrey Saguid were ambushed that resulted in the killing of Joen Cañete, a village chairman in Dingras town.

Months later, radio commentator Jovelito Agustin, of dzJC-Aksyon Radio, was shot dead, which was immediately followed by yet another slay attempt on newly-installed Pagudpud Mayor Maja Sales. - PNA

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