THE United Nationalist Alliance condemned the ambush that wounded Marawi City Mayor Sultan Fahad “Pre” Salic, the husband of UNA senatorial candidate Alma Moreno, and his driver in Cagayon de Oro City on Saturday.
Salic, who is running for governor of Lanao del Sur under UNA, was ambushed around 2 a.m. of April 9 near the gate of the Pryce Hotel Cagayan de Oro, and sustained gunshot wounds in the hip, thigh, his right leg and in the back. His driver, Tayrudim Bunting, also sustained gunshot wounds.
“There is no doubt the attempted assassination of Marawi Mayor Pre Salic is related to politics,” said UNA spokesperson Mon Ilagan.
“While we are thankful that the mayor is now in stable condition, we continue to appeal to the [Commission on Elections and the Philippine National Police] to step up security now that the election is near,” Ilagan said.
With 30 days left before elections, UNA also called on the Comelec to urge local candidates into signing peace covenants with each other to at least dissipate the growing tension in the provinces particularly in “hot spot” areas identified by the PNP and the military.
“Vice President Jejomar Binay is urging the Comelec and the Philippine National Police to speedily act on the assassination attempt against Marawi City Mayor Sultan Fahad Salic so that those responsible for the crime be brought to justice,” Ilagan reiterated.
He said UNA is deeply disturbed at the successive acts of violence directed at supporters of the opposition.
“Within two weeks, there have been two ambush incidents. The first was against Calauan, Laguna Mayor George Berris and now Marawi Mayor Pre Salic. We hope the Comelec will become serious in implementing peace covenants in the countryside,” Ilagan added.
Two weeks ago, UNA youth leader Eman Peña of Calauan, Laguna was killed when the vehicle of Berris was attacked by still unidentified armed men.
Peña is the fourth UNA member killed since the start of the campaign, following the assassination of Sto. Tomas, Batangas councilor Damasino Mabilangan Jr., former Pangutaran, Sulu mayor Ahmad Nanoh and former Banisilan, North Cotabato mayor Floro Allado.
According to Ilagan, political violence has claimed the lives of many supporters of Vice President Binay.