Comelec condemns deadly attack on Sulu election official 

Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia. —Comelec Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Saturday condemned the attack on the Sulu provincial elections supervisor in Zamboanga City on Saturday morning, which resulted in the death of the official’s brother.

“No words are enough to condemn this treacherous act of violence against our people,” Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia said in a statement.

READ: Election officer survives ambush in Zamboanga City – Comelec chief

“What is more gruesome and unforgivable is when a loved one is caught in the crossfire, so to speak,” Garcia said in the statement released hours after the attack.

“We are not yet prepared to cry hopelessness, but a call for immediate action from authorities is strongly demanded,” he added.

Initial reports reaching the Comelec central office in Manila said lawyer Vidzfar Julie, 51, the Sulu provincial elections supervisor, was on board a Toyota Fortuner with his wife and brother, Naser Amil Asiri, 57 when they were attacked.

They had just come from the airport and were headed home to Villa Maria, Barangay Sta. Maria, Zamboanga City, at around 10:30 a.m. when they were shot at by two perpetrators in a Honda Click motorcycle.

Julie was unhurt, but Asiri sustained a gunshot wound in the head. He was declared dead on arrival at the West Metro Hospital.

‘Attack against democracy’

“The entire Comelec family conveys our thoughts and prayers to Attorney Julie and family,” the poll body said in a statement posted on its social media pages.

“An attack against one of our election workers is an attack against democracy and will never be tolerated, and election-related violence shall not be the norm,” the statement added

It said it expects the city police to “act swiftly” to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Julie was married to the late Cavite provincial elections supervisor, Sheryl Moresco-Julie.