Suezo seeks Comelec control for Tuburan: Former mayor cites violence in the town

CEBU, Philippines - The political pot in Tuburan continues to boil with both camps throwing various accusations against each other.  This time, the camp of former Mayor Rose Suezo is moving for their town to be placed under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“Grabe na gyud ang panghitabo sa among lungsod. Karon pa ni nahitabo nga gubot ang pulitika. We want our town to be put under Comelec control,” said Suezo in a press conference yesterday. (The situation in our town has worsened. This is the first time for Tuburan to be this chaotic.)

Incumbent Mayor Democrito “Aljun” Diamante said that if there is anyone who will file a petition of such kind, it should be him.

“Kung naa man gani angayan mo file og petition para ma under control sa Comelec ang Tuburan, ako na kay ang ilaha mang mga supporters ang samukan,” said Diamante in a separate interview. (I should be the one making that complaint. It’s their supporters who are causing trouble.)

Police Senior Inspector Florendo Fajardo, Tuburan acting chief of police, said that as far as he is concerned the situation in the town is volatile.

“But as of now, it is not necessary for the town to be under Comelec control,” Fajardo said.

Suezo also filed a criminal complaint against Diamante along with his supporters and alleged goons before the Comelec “for threatening, terrorizing, intimidating and coercing voters.”

“The recent wave of violence and harassment by the LP administration candidates in our town is a systematic act gleaned toward instilling fear among the people,” said Suezo.

She added that despite all incidents of harassment and terrorism the local Comelec, PNP and the military is being “deaf and dumb” to the plight of the people and the victims.

Helpon Cataralla, 49, a resident of barangay Apalon, said that he was beaten up by Diamante’s supporters for no apparent reason.

Cataralla, is one of the househelpers of the mother of Tuburan vice mayoralty candidate Daphne Lagon. He was beaten black and blue.   Lagon, the runningmate of Suezo, also said that they were harassed by Diamante’s supporters every time they have pulong-pulong in the barangays.

Another Suezo’ supporter, Noel Mabolo, was hospitalized at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center the other day after he was allegedly shot by Diamante’s goons.

“Wala man koy goons. Sila ang naay goons. Mga Ilonggo-speaking na ilang mga goons. Kanang mga gipangulata, ilaha ra nang binuhatan. Ing-ana na sila ka desperado,” said Diamante. (I have no goons. It is they who have goons. They are that desperate.)

Diamante said that Suezo’s camp has only 20 percent supporters out of the 39,000 registered voters in the town.

But Suezo said they have the majority of support of the people of Tuburan as evidenced during their proclamation last week wherein more than 20,000 supporters attended.

Suezo likewise accused Tuburan Comelec Officer Gilbert Pepito of being biased in favor of Diamante and for being incompetent in the dispensation of his duties.

“I do not know what is her legal basis for those statements. I have religiously implemented all Comelec Resolutions and election laws,” said Pepito when sought for comments.

Lawyer Delon Urot, Suezo’s legal counsel said that they will also seek the transfer of Pepito for being biased.

Lagon said that they only wanted to campaign freely without fear of their lives.

“Kung mapilde man gani mi, it should be the people’s decision. Dili sad mi musugot nga mapilde mi tungod kay gitikasan mi,” Lagon added. (If we lose, it should be because the people decided on that, and not because we were cheated.) —/JPM (FREEMAN)