Political Violence Threatens Philippine Elections as Candidates Face Fatal Risks
As the Philippine mid-term elections approach, political violence remains a significant concern, with Comelec reporting 46 violent incidents since January. While candidate fatalities are reportedly lower than past elections, analysts warn that the desire for power and control over local resources perpetuates violence. The systemic issues related to local governance, accountability, and political relationships contribute to this ongoing crisis as the elections draw nearer.
In the Philippines, political candidates face significant risks as the May 12 mid-term elections approach. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported 46 acts of political violence occurred between January 12 and April 11, including the shooting of mayoral candidate Kerwin Espinosa, who survived after being shot in a rally. The rise in violence has led to concerns as several candidates, city officials, and poll workers were killed in similar attacks.
Comelec stated they have recorded “fewer than 20” candidate fatalities this election cycle, suggesting a decrease from previous years, where approximately 100 deaths were reported in the last general election. Commission spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco noted this statistic indicates improvements, but analysts warn that violence will likely perpetuate in the Philippine political arena due to the immense power associated with local posts, which lead to conflicts over control and resources.
The influence gained through local government roles, such as overseeing job allocation and police departments, makes these positions highly coveted and dangerous. Danilo Reyes, a political science professor, emphasized that local executives’ discretion over budgeting and project priorities increases the stakes in these positions, often resulting in violence and conflict. Moreover, regional power dynamics, especially in less governed areas, allow local elites to operate with impunity.
Cleve Arguelles, CEO of WR Numero Research, highlighted that political violence is usually concentrated in areas dominated by a single family or where private armed groups exist. This atmosphere fosters conflict, particularly over city hall control, which equates to losing economic and political authority.
In the absence of strong institutional conflict resolution, confrontational violence often becomes a norm. The recent attack on Espinosa, who sustained severe injuries from over 50 meters away, underscores the persistent threat. Authorities are investigating police officers as possible suspects, but obtaining convictions in these cases proves challenging.
Recent data illustrated that in 79% of violent events involving local government officials from 2018 to 2022, the assailants were never identified. The investigatory reluctance stems from the dependency of national politicians on local political bases to secure votes, creating little impetus for serious inquiries into local violence.
Local political dynamics lead to a tacit agreement where national leaders tolerate local elites, provided that they deliver votes during elections. This complex relationship complicates accountability as political interests often overshadow justice. Continued violent incidents highlight systemic flaws in ensuring safety during the elections, especially in regions like the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), where violence has long been an election-season hallmark.
In response to rising violence, Comelec has directly intervened in certain municipalities to manage local election officials and police. However, the duration of these interventions is limited to essential periods, raising concerns about ongoing security effectiveness. Despite some efforts to enhance safety, entrenched family and power dynamics within local jurisdictions contribute to a volatile electoral environment.
The current political climate in the Philippines exemplifies the dangers faced by candidates amidst widespread violence. Although the number of fatalities this election season has decreased compared to previous years, the underlying issues of local power struggles and lack of accountability remain critical concerns. As political violence continues to take shape within this turbulent landscape, the interplay of local governance, violence, and national political interests illustrates deeper systemic challenges that affect electoral integrity and candidate safety.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
