Armed men reported in Daanbantayan town

Sightings of armed men believed to be goons of politicians have been reported in some barangays in Daanbantayan town since the first week of this month.

Mayor Maria Luisa Loot confirmed this in an interview over El Nuevo Bantay Radyo after she got the reports from the barangay captains.

Without pointing to anyone in particular, Loot quickly claimed the armed men are the goons of those who plan to run against her in the local elections next year.

Loot's son, Sun Shimura, is running for mayor with her as the running mate while rumored to be running for the opposition camp is the tandem of Augustine Corro and the incumbent Vice Mayor Mariano Diaz.

Loot said earlier this month at least three men armed with long firearms were seen at the riverside near the Daanbantayan District Hospital in barangay Pajo.

Another group of at least three armed men were also reportedly seen in barangays Lanao and Tinubdan.

Loot immediately ordered the local policemen to conduct operations against these armed men to maintain peace and order in the barangays.

Meanwhile, Madridejos Mayor Letty Mancio went to the office of Cebu Provincial Police Office director S/Supt Vicente Loot yesterday morning also to report sightings of men armed with high-powered firearms in the town's shoreline.

The provincial police chief said he already sent the Special Reaction Unit of the CPPO there to check the reports but they said these turned out negative.

The men also reported finding no armed men in Daanbantayan.

However, the CPPO is closely watching the towns of Daanbantayan, Borbon, Tabuelan, San Remegio and Madridejos. - Gregg M. Rubio and Norvie Misa