Following the brazen killing of reelectionist Rizal, Cagayan mayor Joel Ruma, the Philippine National Police (PNP) will need to beef up its intelligence work to prevent similar incidents of election-related violence as the campaign period for the 2025 midterm elections enters its homestretch.
Senatorial candidate former Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed this as he described as “blatant” and “brazen” the killing of Ruma during a campaign rally Wednesday evening.
“I would urge the PNP to be on their toes regarding such matters. This is a function of intelligence. The PNP must improve its intelligence network because murders like this do not go unplanned,” said Lacson, under whose leadership the PNP regained the public’s trust from 1999 to 2001, in Filipino in an interview on Bombo Radyo Dagupan.
“The occurrence of such incidents indicates a failure of intelligence,” he added.
Related: Ping Lacson sa PNP: Paigtingin ang Intel Work Para Pigilan ang Election Violence
Ruma was gunned down during a campaign rally at the Illuru Sur barangay hall while campaigning Wednesday night. Police said initial investigation showed a shot from a sniper rifle killed Ruma.
Investigation also showed Ruma received a threat before he was killed, even as PNP chief Rommel Marbil ordered an in-depth investigation into the killing.
Lacson also said it is part of the PNP’s work to maintain peace and order especially during the election period.
“It’s the PNP’s job to protect and maintain peace and order especially during the election period,” he stressed.
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Ping Lacson sa PNP: Paigtingin ang Intel Work Para Pigilan ang Election Violence
Matapos ang pagpaslang kay reelectionist Rizal, Cagayan mayor Joel Ruma, dapat paigtingin ng Philippine National Police (PNP) ang intelligence work nito para pigilan ang katulad na karahasan ngayong malapit nang matapos ang campaign period para sa 2025 midterm elections.
Iginiit ito ni senatorial candidate at dating Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson, na nagsabing lantaran at “brazen” ang pagpatay kay Ruma sa isang campaign rally noong Miyerkules ng gabi.
“I would urge the PNP to be on their toes pagdating sa mga ganitong pagkakataon. Function din ito ng intelligence. Pagka may nangyayaring ganyan, (dapat) paigtingin ang kanilang intelligence network. Di basta basta gagawin ang pagpatay na walang pagpaplano,” ani Lacson, na nagpaganda sa imahe ng PNP noong pinamunuan niya ito mula 1999 hanggang 2001, sa panayam sa Bombo Radyo Dagupan.
“Nagkakaroon ng failure of intelligence pag hindi nasawata o naawat ang ganoong klaseng violence,” dagdag niya.
Binaril at napatay si Ruma sa campaign rally sa Illuru Sur barangay hall habang nangangampanya Miyerkules ng gabi. Ayon sa pulis, sniper ang pumatay kay Ruma.
Lumabas din sa imbestigasyon na nakatanggap ng banta si Ruma bago ito pinaslang. Nag-utos si PNP chief Rommel Marbil ng malalimang imbestigasyon sa pagpatay.
Dagdag ni Lacson, trabaho ng PNP na magpanatili ng kapayapaan at kaayusan lalo na sa election period.
“Trabaho ng PNP para protektahan o pangalagaan ang peace and order especially during campaign or election period,” aniya.
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