MASBATE CITY--- Masbate Bishop Joey ‘Bong’ Baylon expressed grave alarm over the proliferation of loose firearms and the presence of private armed groups of warring political camps as the countdown to the 2010 local and national elections draws near.

        “Since early part of this year, presence of goons and the proliferation of loose firearms has been noticed without a finger raised by concerned authorities,” the prelate said adding that each home in Masbate virtually has a gun kept for self-defense or other reason.

        “This is the biggest problem here and I am not afraid to denounce it in the pulpit every time I say mass,” he said.

        “My fear is that this upcoming 2010 elections will once again exacerbate a culture of violence because during every election this is their (Masbateños’) culture.”

        The bishop said the more ideal scenario would be that the incumbent governor and congressmen and city mayor would stay in their posts for re-election, avoiding the sitting political warlords from entangling with each other because of crisscrossing territories. But this proposal seems far from possible.

        Asked who among the powerful politicians here rejected such proposal, Bishop Baylon named Rep. Rizalina Seachon-Lanete who is reportedly eyeing the gubernatorial post against the incumbent Gov. Olga Kho.

         Rep. Rizalina Seachon-Lanete is a sibling of slain Rep. Fausto “Portus” Seachon, Jr. of the third congressional district of Masbate. A strong rival of Rep. Antonio Kho of the second congressional district and his wife, Gov. Olga Kho, the elder Rep. Seachon was assassinated in June 27, 2008 by unidentified assailants who remain scot-free.   

         Rep. Lanete’s rejection, according to Rep. Lanete could be attributed to the 2007 election season wherein protagonists signed a peace accord, as witness by top officials of the AFP, PNP, and religious leaders. But barely has the ink dried on the peace covenant, Lanete was ambushed but survived the attack.

         Lanete accused the Khos of masterminding the ambush.

         The prelate said that the culture of violence in this island province will be lessened if more soldiers will be fielded throughout the entire province.

         Gov. Olga Kho told the Bicol Mail that political vendetta could be prevented if only all politicians in the province heed the words of Bishop Baylon.

        “Bishop is doing everything here to prevent a possible bloody 2010 elections and we’re very supportive of the bishop,” Gov. Olga Kho said.