Philippines: Gunfire occurs during a political gathering in Quezon, Bukidnon Province, April 19

Event

Gunfire occurred during a political gathering involving presidential candidate Leody de Guzman and members of the Manobo-Pulangiyon tribe in Butong, Quezon, Bukidnon Province, April 19. The attackers injured two local leaders; reports indicate de Guzman was not injured. No group has claimed responsibility for the shooting.

The incident site is around 90 km (56 miles) south-southeast of Cagayan de Oro.

Context

De Guzman is one of ten presidential candidates in the May 9 general election; polls indicate that the leading contenders include Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (known as Bongbong), the son of former president Ferdinand Marcos, and the current vice president Leni Robredo. Violence, like the shooting incident, frequently occurs during election periods in the Philippines. In 2009, the family of Maguindanao province’s then-governor hired individuals to attack an election convoy, killing 58 people. Additional violence is possible through the voting day.