Senator Francis Tolentino is seeking to defer the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Negros Oriental, warning that the current political situation might lead to further chaos.
Tolentino, chair of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights noted that the present political atmosphere in province is not good for the conduct of said elections.
He cited the current peace and order situation in Negros Oriental following the assassination of Governor Roel Degamo.
He also mentioned the spate of violence-related cases which was revealed during the three-day hearings of the Senate Committee of Public Order and Illegal Drugs chaired by Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.
Majority of the killings were linked to Rep. Arnolfo Teves who was also tagged by the Department of Justice as behind the killing of Degamo.
Tolentino also said if the BSKE will be postponed, then the government’s peacekeeping “forces will have a stronger momentum.”
Degamo’s widow, Pamplona town Mayor Janice Degamo, welcomed Tolentino’s proposition, saying that it will definitely help calm the current political climate in her province.
Tolentino earlier asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to set-up a Special Prosecution Task Force in Negros Oriental which will help hasten the progress of violence-related cases pending before various trial courts in the said province.
Senator Robin Padilla meanwhile inquired if it is time for a military takeover in Negro Oriental to avert the “social volcano” in Negros Oriental from exploding due to the crimes and abuses.
Padillasaid the Constitution allows the takeover by the Armed Forces of the Philippines if needed, and if authorized by the President.
“Our Constitution is clear – if an area is infested with crimes, the President is allowed to authorize the military to take over. Do you think it is time for this in Negros Oriental?”
Aside from the murder of the governor, he said there have been many other victims of other crimes including those merely seeking aid.
Based on the testimonies and emotions from earlier hearings, he said the problem remains – the loss of trust in our police, the continued impunity in Negros and the tarnishing of the name of our Philippine National Police.
“These individuals are trusted and trained to protect the people. Their use of their skills to commit such heinous crimes is unacceptable,” he saad.
The governor’s widow, agreed with Padilla’s point that it is time for “military control” though not to the point of martial law.
“If that would hasten ending the feeling of impunity, then personally I am okay with it,” she said.
