Citing intense political rivalry: Buot-Taup barangay official seeks deployment of more policemen

CEBU, Philippines – Buot-Taup barangay councilor Rosalina "Daya" Calino had requested the deployment of more policemen in her barangay, citing intense rivalry among persons who want to run in the coming barangay elections in October.

Calino said she received a series of threats several days after she and her supporters had successfully convinced the court to remove the names of 73 "flying voters" from the list of registered voters in their barangay.

Barangay captain Ritchie Sibla, who is seeking another term in next month's elections, is an ally of opposition leader Jonathan "Atan" Guardo, while Calino is a die-heard supporter of Cebu City south district Rep. Tomas R. Osmeña.

Calino, who served as barangay captain of Buot-Taup for three terms, said she received information that somebody will kill her. "Dunay miingon nako nga kon dili ko nila ambuson, pik-apon ko nila."

She added she is not afraid of the threats but she requested for additional policemen to ensure that peace and order would be maintained.

At present, a few policemen are assigned in the barangay and they are not capable to respond in case there will be a conflict that would erupt between rival political groups.

Superintendent Paul Labra II, deputy director for operations of the Cebu City Police Office, said once he receives the formal communication from Calino, he will immediately assess the peace and order situation of Buot-Taup.

Councilor Richard "Ritchie" Osmeña said he already forwarded Calino's letter to the city police office hoping that it can be favorably acted upon by the police authorities.

Calino was surprised when she learned that 82 people, who are not residents of Barangay Buot-Taup, had been registered as voters of their barangay allowing them to vote in the coming elections.

There were speculations that it was Sibla who facilitated the registration of these people because some reportedly witnessed his supporters accompanying these persons on board trucks to the Commission on Elections middle of last month, an allegation Sibla strongly denied.

Calino said those who registered as voters of Buot-Taup claimed they are residents of sitios Pangpang, Taup and Lawod. It was however learned that they are no longer residing in the barangay, but are now settled in Talisay City and some other neighboring areas.

She expects Buot-Taup to be one of the hotly-contested barangays of the city in the October 25 barangay and SK elections. (FREEMAN)