Vice President Jejomar Binay has questioned the lack of “concrete action” from law enforcers amid the series of violence against his political backers in a bloody lead up to the May 9 polls.
The latest victim according to the Binay-United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) was La Union 2nd district Rep. Eugranio Eriguel, whose convoy was bombed at around noon yesterday.
Fortunately, Eriguel, a key Binay supporter in the province, survived the attack.
“Nababahala ako sa tangka sa buhay ni Cong. Eriguel ng La Union,” said the Vice President, who is the UNA standard-bearer.
Binay, 73, noted the spate of attacks against UNA members and supporters since the campaign period began last Feb 9.
The bombing on Eriguel’s convoy resulted in the death of two individuals who were occupants of the congressman’s backup vehicle. The Ilocano solon’s car wasn’t affected by the blast.
“Hanggang ngayon, ni wala kang marinig mula sa mga awtoridad na kongkretong hakbang na ginawa nila upang panagutin ang mga nagplano at nagsagawa ng mga krimeng ito,” Binay said.
“The harassment of the political opposition bodes ill for our electoral process and our democracy. Such intolerance for political dissent must not be encouraged or tolerated by government inaction,” he added.
Last month, UNA youth leader Eman Coronado Pena of Calauan, Laguna was killed in an ambush staged by still-unidentified armed men. Pena was the fourth UNA member to be slain since February, 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. (Ellson A. Quismorio)