Election violence strikes Mindanao: Two election officials killed in two days

DAVAO CITY – The specter of election-related violence once again casts a dark shadow over Mindanao, as two Commission on Elections (Comelec) officials were gunned down in separate incidents within just two days.

The killings highlight the region’s long history of election-related tension and violence, which has marred democratic processes for decades.

The Victims were identified as Mark Orlando Vallecer II, acting election officer of Nunungan town, Lanao del Norte and Janeco Allan Dionaldo Pandoy, an election assistant in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.

Both were ambushed by unidentified assailants riding motorcycles, a modus operandi often linked to politically motivated killings in Mindanao.

On Monday, November 25  At 2:19 p.m., Vallecer was ambushed while driving his red car on a rough road in Barangay Curva Miagao, Salvador, Lanao del Norte.

According to Major Teodorico Gallego, Salvador’s police chief, two gunmen fired at Vallecer as his vehicle slowed down. He was rushed to a hospital in Lala town but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Vallecer, a resident of Cagayan de Oro, had just attended a meeting with election officials led by Lanao del Norte provincial election supervisor Joseph Hamilton Cuevas.

His murder stunned his colleagues and loved ones, who described him as a dedicated public servant and active member of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP).

On Saturday, November 23 at 4:18 p.m., Pandoy was shot and killed along the highway in Sampaguita, Poblacion, President Quirino town, Sultan Kudarat province.

The manner of his killing mirrored Vallecer’s: two motorcycle-riding gunmen ambushed him in broad daylight.

Mindanao has long been plagued by election-related violence, stemming from intense political rivalries, entrenched political clans, and the presence of armed groups. The region’s history is marred by killings, voter intimidation, and allegations of fraud.

In 2009, Maguindanao marked the deadliest election-related violence in Philippine history occurred in Maguindanao, where 58 people, including 32 journalists, were brutally killed in a politically motivated attack.

Local elections in Mindanao have frequently been battlegrounds for rival political clans, with killings often escalating in the lead-up to elections.

The proliferation of private armies and the slow dispensation of justice have exacerbated the culture of impunity in the region.

Mindanao’s political landscape is crucial in national elections, given its substantial voter base and influence. However, the region’s electoral processes have often been undermined by violence, threatening the integrity of democratic systems.

In a statement, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia condemned the murders as attacks not just on individuals but on the country’s democratic foundations.

“Violence will not deter us, and those who seek to harm democracy will face the full force of the law,” Garcia said.

The Comelec chief vowed to work closely with law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure the safety of election officials, particularly in high-risk areas.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III said investigations are ongoing to identify the suspects and motives behind the killings.

While no official motive has been established, colleagues of Vallecer revealed that he had been receiving death threats from local politicians—an ominous reminder of the perils faced by election officials in volatile regions.

The murders have left families and communities reeling. Vallecer’s wife, Emily, along with family and friends, tearfully welcomed his remains in Cagayan de Oro.

Pandoy’s family and colleagues in Sultan Kudarat echoed similar sentiments, grieving the loss of another committed public servant.

The twin killings underscore the urgent need to address systemic issues in Mindanao’s political landscape, particularly during election periods. Election officials remain at the frontline of democratic processes but often bear the brunt of violence stemming from deep-seated political rivalries.

Experts and advocates have called for stronger measures to protect election officials, including:

Prosecution of perpetrators to break the culture of impunity.

Comprehensive reforms to address systemic violence and corruption in Mindanao’s electoral system.

As the nation gears up for future elections, the killings of Vallecer and Pandoy serve as grim reminders of the challenges faced by the Philippine electoral system. Ensuring the safety of those who uphold democracy must remain a priority for both the government and civil society.

The assassinations of two Comelec officials in Mindanao represent a direct assault on democracy and a tragic reflection of the region’s troubled political history.

As investigations continue, the incidents serve as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance, reform, and justice to protect those who work tirelessly to ensure free and fair elections in the Philippines.