CEBU, Philippines - The number of areas recommended to be included on the Commission on Election (Comelec) watchlist in Central Visayas has increased to 15.
Sr. Supt. Ramon Melvin Buenafe, head of the Regional Intelligence Division of the Police Regional Office-7, said they “could not justs ignore” the strafing incident in Tabuelan that they have to include it on the list of election-related violence.
The strafing incident in Tabuelan is seen as related to politics after supporters of mayoral candidate Raul Gerona and his challenger Rex Gerona, his brother, got into an argument.
Orlando Almodiel, a political leader of Raul, alleged that he and Julieto Almonacin, Kantubaon barangay captain and president of the Association of Barangay Captains in the town, had an argument in the morning of April 7.
An hour after their argument, witnesses reportedly saw Almonacin bringing a long firearm before Almodiel’s house was strafed.
Cebu Provincial Police Office director Erson Digal recommended the inclusion of 11 towns and two cities under the watchlist of the poll body.
The list included Ronda, Dumanjug, Alegria, San Fernando, Dalaguete and Naga City in southern Cebu, and Tabuelan, Tuburan, Tudela on Camotes Island, Daanbantayan, Carmen, Madridejos and Bogo City in northern Cebu.
The four others on the list are municipalities in Negros Oriental.
Asked if the figure may continue to increase, Buenafe however said they cannot see any reason for it to increase.
“We have deployed na our security forces sa different areas in Central Visayas for the election. The watchlist serves as a guide in deploying our forces,” he said.
With 11 days before the first automated polls in the country, policemen in Central Visayas have expressed readiness to secure the elections.
Directors of different police offices in Region 7 who attended yesterday’s monthly Talakayan Sa Isyung Pulis (TSIP) forum said they are “100 percent ready” for the May 10 elections.
Sr. Supt. Edgardo Ingking, PRO-7 deputy director for operations, said that aside from some fine-tuning, all is set for the elections.
“The Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines as deputized by the Comelec, andam na g’yud,” Ingking said.
The police official said they would conduct a final coordinating conference with the AFP and the Comelec on May 3 at the PRO-7.
Cebu City south district election officer Edwin Cadungog said that 80 percent of the precinct count optical scan machines have already arrived in the Central Visayas.
At least 239 policemen, aside from reserved personnel, will guard polling centers in Cebu City on election day, city police director Patrocinio Comendador said.
The police offices in Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City are also ready to secure the polls. There are additional backup forces for possible augmentation.
Policemen will also be deployed in the streets during the elections. (FREEMAN NEWS)