Bentot56
11-27-2009, 07:04 PM
MANILA, Philippines - Forty-three persons – including a politician about to file her and her brother’s certificates of candidacy (COCs), as well as journalists covering the event – were confirmed killed when heavily armed men waylaid the group on its way to the local Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Maguindanao.
The election season officially started here in the Philippines on Monday with the start of official filing of candidacies for national elections. The above incident is an ominous sign of things to come during the up-coming elections.
In 2004, the last national election, there were 143 political killings and the 2007 local elections had 121. On the first day of the election period there have already been 43 killings. Elections are in May and it is not looking good for the coming months.
Although these are politically motivated killings the majority of the victims are innoocent by-standers as was the case in Maguindanao. The intended target was 1 vice mayor, the other 42 victims were friends, media and followers.
If you have a client planning a visit to the Philippines you need to take into consideration these events.
Ben
The election season officially started here in the Philippines on Monday with the start of official filing of candidacies for national elections. The above incident is an ominous sign of things to come during the up-coming elections.
In 2004, the last national election, there were 143 political killings and the 2007 local elections had 121. On the first day of the election period there have already been 43 killings. Elections are in May and it is not looking good for the coming months.
Although these are politically motivated killings the majority of the victims are innoocent by-standers as was the case in Maguindanao. The intended target was 1 vice mayor, the other 42 victims were friends, media and followers.
If you have a client planning a visit to the Philippines you need to take into consideration these events.
Ben