President Roxas mayor reports renewed death threats

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — President Roxas Mayor Receliste Tanoy Escolin said he has again received death threats, continuing a pattern that began when he entered politics in 2015.

Escolin said someone had been hired to kill him, and while he continues to ignore threats, he remains cautious.

He believes the threats may stem from political rivals who did not accept their defeat.

Late last year, Escolin claimed he survived a failed assassination attempt after announcing plans to seek reelection in 2025 despite completing a three-term limit as mayor.

“It’s not just one group, but two groups planning to kill me,” Escolin said in a live address on Facebook.

He claimed that two former President Roxas officials were financing the alleged plot, initially worth PHP 2 million, but later reduced to PHP 1.6 million.

Escolin alleged that one of Region 6’s most wanted criminals had been hired to kill him, reportedly disguising as a member of the LGBTQ community.

Despite the danger, the mayor said he is ready to face threats at any time.

“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,” Escolin warned.

He reiterated that he filed his certificate of candidacy for mayor to finish what he said was “unfinished public service.”

Escolin said he will be unable to complete his current term, which ends in June 2025, due to a 90-day suspension earlier this year imposed by the Office of the Ombudsman for simple misconduct.

He cited an opinion from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and a Supreme Court ruling, claiming that the suspension interrupted his term.

However, veteran lawyer James Bereber disagreed, saying the suspension does not constitute an interruption of public service or a break in term.

Citing jurisprudence, Bereber noted that temporary incapacity or disqualification — even if involuntary — such as illness, force majeure, or suspension, does not interrupt an elected official’s term of office.