MANILA — Rizal, Cagayan Mayor Joel Ruma received death threats before he was shot to death during a campaign sortie earlier this week, the Philippine National Police said on Friday. 

“Iinitially, sinabi nila na wala daw threat na natatangggap ang mayor pero kanina sa patuloy na pag-iimbestiga nila lumalabas may mga anggulo na threat na natatanggap yung mayor,” PNP Public Information Office Chief Col. Randulf Tuaño said, quoting information from the Cagayan Valley police. 

He said PNP Chief Rommel Marbil urged candidates and other individuals facing death threats to apply for security detail through the  Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG). 

“Binigyan niya ng instruction ang director ng PSPG na kung sila ay nakakatanggap ng mga death threats ay agad na bigyan ng temporary security detail ng director ng PSPG,” he said.

“Imbes na umabot yung proseso sa 1 hanggang 2 buwan pero ito ay pinamamadali… Sabi niya na huwag nating balewalain ang mga threat na natatanggap,” he added. 

Marbil and a command group, he said, would discuss the progress of the probe later in the day. 

ELECTION RELATED VIOLENCE

During the same briefing, the PNP said it has so far received 58 reported incidents of election-related violence from January 12 to April 24, 2025. 

Thirty of these incidents were validated, 8 remained as suspected incidents of election-related violence, and 20 were non-election related, Tuaño said.

He said the latest tally was lower than the election-related incidents in 2022. 

“Nabanggit natin na kapag ang involved ay tumatakbo, supporter, miyembor ng Comelec at kanilang mga supporters ay binibigyan ng 10 days ang mga regional offices para ito ay ikonsider na validated na ERI (election-related incident) or hindi,” he said. 

“Kumpara noong nakaraan, mas mababa siya base sa ating mga assessment sa ngayon,” he added. 

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