By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz – The Capiz Police Provincial Office (CPPO) will investigate the alleged death threat received by President Roxas Mayor Receliste Tanoy Escolin.
Police Colonel Albert Tapulao, Capiz police director, said he will initiate a proper validation and investigation into Escolin’s claim.
Escolin formally reported the death threat to the President Roxas Municipal Police Station.
“We must follow proper procedures before assigning police security to politicians with death threats,” Tapulao said.
Escolin claimed he received the threat after filing his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for mayor of President Roxas in next year’s elections.
He noted that while he had received threats in the past that did not materialize, this time the offer for a potential contract killing had increased.
In a Facebook Live interview last week, Escolin said he already knew who was behind the threats and how much the offers were.
He added that two groups were involved in the plan to kill him.
“It’s not just one group, but two groups planning to kill me. I have a video recording showing who is behind these threats,” Escolin said.
He claimed that two former officials of President Roxas were financing the plot, with the price reduced from PHP 2 million to PHP 1.6 million.
Escolin also alleged that a ‘most wanted’ individual in Region 6, disguised as a member of the LGBTQ community, had been hired to assassinate him.
Despite the threats, Escolin said he is ready to face any danger.
“You won’t get me easily. Remember that. Whatever plans you have to kill me, make sure you succeed. Because if you don’t, I’ll go after your entire family,” he warned.
Escolin explained that he filed his COC because he will not complete his current term, which ends in June 2025, due to a 90-day suspension imposed by the Office of the Ombudsman for simple misconduct.
His suspension ran from February to May of this year.
He cited an opinion from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and a prior Supreme Court decision, claiming his public service was “interrupted” due to the Ombudsman’s penalty.
Escolin said this interruption prompted him to file his COC for mayor again, aiming to complete his unfinished public service.
Under the Local Government Code, local chief executives are limited to three terms, or nine years, in office, after which they are barred from seeking re-election.
