The Commission on Elections (Comelec) denounced the killing of a vice mayoral aspirant by unidentified gunmen in his residence in Tantangan, South Cotabato.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said although the incident is a law enforcement matter since they are still considered aspirants and not candidates, these killings should be immediately solved.
Former Barangay Bukay Pait village chair Jose “Bobot” Osorio, who is running for vice mayor under the ticket of former Tantangan mayor Benjamin Figueroa, was shot dead in his home.
“This senseless killing, election-related or not, is strongly condemned and the immediate arrest of the perpetrators should forthwith happen as justice dictates,” Garcia said in a statement.
“Violence in one part of the country is never an indication of the general peace and order situation of the entirety,” he added.
The poll chair rejected indications that the incident was election-related, saying the election period would start in January of next year.
“It reminds us to act swiftly on matters like this when the proper time comes,” Garcia concluded.
