CPPO: 4th district a “partial” area of immediate concern

The Cebu Provincial Police Office has considered the 4th district of Cebu to be considered “partially” as an election area of immediate concern.

CPPO director Carmelo Valmoria yesterday said there is a need to place the 4th district under this classification because of the ongoing electoral protest filed by congressional candidate Celestino “Tining” Martinez against Rep. Benhur Salimbangon.

Aside from the 4th district, the police will also be looking into the situation of other barangays in the province.  They are expected come up with a comprehensive evaluation after October 19, the last day of filing for certificates of candidacy.

Valmoria said that with the upcoming barangay and SK election this coming October, the CPPO will be deploying personnel in every barangay together with the Army, particularly personnel from the 78th Infantry Battalion.

In the entire province, 27 barangays, all situated in the mid-north area, have been declared affected by insurgency.

CPPO will also check on areas where intense political rivalry was observed during the last May 14 elections.

To ensure an orderly and peaceful election here in the province, CPPO has organized the “Provincial Task Force for Barangay Election”.

Each of the six districts in the province will have a sub-task group as well as the islands of Bantayan and Camotes.  All sub-task groups will be led by senior police officers.  — Flor Z. Perolina/BRP