Wife of slain re-electionist Lanao Sur mayor to run as substitute

MARAWI CITY — The wife of slain re-electionist mayor vows to continue her fight for justice, even as she prepares to run as substitute candidate in the coming special elections in Lanao del Sur’s Tugaya town this coming November 6. “Ipagpapatuloy ko ang laban ng aking asawa at ang kanyang simulain para sa pagbabgo ng aming bayan (I will continue my husband’s fight to institute reforms in our town’s governance)," said Rohamina “Nini" R. Guroalim, wife of the re-electionist mayor Alimatar Guroalim. Mrs. Guroalim told reporters Wednesday she will file her certificate of Candidacy for mayor after getting the go signal of members of her family. Her husband, Alimatar, was killed in an ambush in Dilimbayan village last Friday morning. [See story: Lanao Sur mayoralty bet killed, 4 hurt in ambush] Mrs. Guroalim claimed her husband was murdered by “identified killers," who she said still enjoy their freedoms. Guroalim appealed to higher authorities to give justice to the untimely death of her husband. Local authorities believe the ambush was politically motivated. To recall, the special elections in some areas in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), including Tugaya town in Lanao Sur, were rescheduled to November 6, due to violence that marred the June elections. In the case of Tugaya town, this year’s local elections are hotly contested by feuding Balindong and Guroalim clans. Col. Jed Motus, Commanding Officer of the 65th Infantry battalion (IB), said police personnel in the province “have been advised not to enter the cordoned off area of the town to prevent the escalation of armed conflict." He added, “Both warring parties are suspicious of the Maranao local police forces." He said the firefight between the Balindong and Guroalim clans during last June's elections was sparked by the local police elements related to either of the two camps. Police Provincial director Supt Cosaine Mortaba Derogongan also said people coming in and going out of Tugaya are subjected to close police check to prevent tension in the area. Tugaya town proper was abandoned by its resident due to the political tension. Classes different schools there were suspended. Meanwhile, ARMM governor Assarudin “Hooky" Adiong appointed on July 22 as OIC for Tugaya Mangawan C. Rinabor, who he said is a relative to both warring parties. — Ric Clet/LBG, GMANews.TV