A 48-year-old farmer was fatally shot on Christmas Day in Pualas, Lanao del Sur, days after reportedly filing a petition regarding alleged flying voters in the municipality.
Police Lt. Col. Juanito J. Jamis, the deputy provincial director for operations of the Lanao del Sur police, identified the victim as Zainodin Sarip Guro.
According to initial investigations, Guro had just returned home from his farm when two men on a motorcycle appeared and opened fire. Guro sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead on the spot.
A witness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Guro had no known personal enemies but revealed that he and his nephew had recently filed a petition before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) alleging the presence of flying voters in Pualas. The witness also claimed to have identified the gunmen and believes the killing was politically motivated.
Authorities recovered four spent cartridge cases at the crime scene, which have been sent for ballistic examination to aid the investigation.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Comelec Chairman George Garcia condemned the killing, describing it as a “senseless act of cowardice.” Garcia emphasized the need to wait for further investigation to determine the motive behind the attack, saying, “Election-related or not, any senseless killing should be condemned. At this point, it is premature to even make a hunch as to the motive of the culprit.”
The incident has sparked concern in the community, with calls for a swift and thorough investigation. The killing of Guro underscores the dangers faced by individuals involved in addressing election irregularities and highlights the need for enhanced security measures to protect those advocating for transparent and fair elections.
As investigations continue, authorities urge anyone with additional information to come forward to help bring the perpetrators to justice.