Across Cebu province: Ambush, arrests taint elections

CEBU, Philippines - What was described as “peaceful elections” in Cebu was marred with an ambush of a mayoral candidate in San Fernando and arrests of several armed men suspected as goons in different parts of the province.

A supporter of San Fernando mayoralty bet Lakambini Reluya was shot at the back while traveling on a remote road in the upland Barangay Balungag at past 6 p.m. yesterday.

San Fernando police chief, S/Insp. Gerard Ace Pelare, identified the victim as Antonio Kong, 61. Pelare said Kong was with two others, Lyka Selma, 15, and Joy Saducos, 42, who were also rushed to Carcar City District Hospital because they were on a state of shock. They were later transferred to a hospital in Cebu City.

Pelare said the three were on board a vehicle with plate number JDE 150 passing on a dirt road in Balungag when a “burst of gun fires” was heard. The police chief said the three left their vehicle and ran away.

Selma told reporters that they were on their way to Barangay Tubod to deliver food supply and summary reports for candidates of UNA and Nacionalista Party when the incident happened. According to Selma, she saw a man wearing white shirt fired a shotgun at them.

Selma said they were fired upon three times but Kong who was driving the vehicle managed to maneuver away from their attacker. A fellow supporter of Reluya allegedly helped them escaped from a pursuing white Sorento with plate number GKH-705.

The police are yet to determine the motive and the people responsible in the ambush.

In Danao City, five armed men were arrested yesterday for violation of the Comelec gun ban. They were caught in possession of unlicensed firearms.

The suspects who are now detained at the Danao City Police Station are identified as Danilo Montilla, 53; Jubert Perez, 21; Cesario Pastorite; Ronie Lumapas; and motorcycle driver Ronie Giba.

Montilla, a farmer, was caught in possession of a .357 revolver with six bullets. Pastorite on the other hand was in possession of a .38 revolver with six ammunition.

There were also sample ballots with P2,000 cash confiscated from the suspects. They were arrested during a checkpoint conducted by the police.

Montilla admitted carrying the gun but denied he was working as goon for a politician.

“Akoa to ang armas pero ibaligya man to namo. Dili man mi mga goons (The gun is mine but I am selling it. We are no goons),” said Montilla.

According to the suspects, they were on their way to vote when the police intercepted them at a checkpoint.

In Tuburan, six alleged armed goons from Iloilo province were also arrested by the police on the eve of the elections in Barangay Daan Lungsod. The suspects were identified as against Hepty Relator, 50, of Jaro, Iloilo; Michael Demonteverde de Castillo, 43, of North Dumangas; Edgar Jareleza, 40, of Rizal Palapala Zone 2; Roel Casas, 37, Agtabo, Passi City; Federico Acelar, 53, of Doñas; and Gilbert Lorca, 43, of Beta.

They were arrested during a checkpoint conducted by the elements of the Regional Public Safety Battalion for possession of  three Caliber .45 pistols; two KG-9 sub-machine gun, one Tanfoglio 9mm pistol, one rifle grenade, two hand grenades, four magazines for KG9, three magazines for .45 pistol, 36 bullets of .45 pistol, 83 bullets of 9mm pistol, three bullets of M16 rifle, one medium and three small packets of shabu, a small packet of dried marijuana leaves, a disposable syringe, three ball caps, four bonnets and assorted identification cards.

The suspects were on board a Ford F150 pick-up when accosted by the police. The police said the suspects were wearing shirts of candidates Rosemarie Suezo and Daphne Lagon of One Cebu Party.

Charges for illegal possession of firearms, explosives, drugs and Comelec gun ban are being prepared against the suspects.

Cebu Provincial election supervisor Eddie Aba commended the police for the arrest of the suspected goons in Tuburan. Aba said that the arrest shows the sincerity of the police in its primary function to ensure peaceful and orderly elections.

Meanwhile, 10 unidentified armed men disarmed the two escorts of a Board of Election Inspectors in Barangay Guadalupe, Carcar City yesterday morning.

The four members of the BEI were transporting ballot boxes on board a government dump truck when the armed men block them at the national highway. The armed men disarmed PO1 Raymund Amansi and a certain Ensign 2 Pepito of the Philippine Navy who were detailed to escort the members of the BEI.

The armed men took all the ammunition load of the escorts before fleeing on board a Hi-Lux and a Sedan.

Carcar City police chief, Supt. Ricky Delilis, said that the armed men pointed their guns at the escorts and fired shots in the air. The election paraphernalia however remain intact and were delivered to the polling center.—with Brenda Batuto and Mylen P. Manto/FPL (FREEMAN)