By DIANA DELOS SANTOS
BIÑAN, Laguna.—Elections used to be peaceful here, but things seem to be changing in Biñan, San Pedro and Sta. Rosa that comprise the first district of Laguna.
On March 23, Barangay Chairman Eric Jimenez of San Antonio, Biñan left the city’s sports coliseum after watching cockfights and was walking to his car when he was gunned down. He was shot thrice, once in the head, and died on the spot.
Police believe that the killing was purely political in nature.
More than a week later, police gunned down Nasio Capunitan, confirmed to be Jimenez’s assassin. Another person whom police said was the lookout but whom they refused to identify was arrested.
The two men are reported to be hired killers. Police are still looking for the mastermind of the killing.
Four days after the shooting, police announced that Sta. Rosa Mayor Arlene Arcillas-Nazareno and Rep. Dan Fernandez of Laguna’s first district had received death threats. Biñan Vice Mayor Arman Dimaguila has also reportedly received death threats. 
Arcillas is the daughter of Leon Arcillas, former mayor of Sta. Rosa who was gunned down on May 10, 2005 in front of City Hall. Residents say this is the only incident of political killing before Jimenez’s assassination on March 23.
At the same time, police reminded Biñan Mayor Len-Len Alonte-Naguiat to take extra care despite her running for reelection unopposed.
(The writer is a broadcast communications student at the University of the Philippines who submitted a version of this story to her Journ 101 class under VERA Files trustee Luz Rimban.)