Bet for brgy captain gets death threat

CEBU, Philippines - A candidate for barangay captain in Opao, Mandaue City has asked the Commision on Elections (Comelec) to place the barangay under the election watchlist after the latter’s family received a death threat Tuesday morning.

Incumbent councilor, Edgar Prada, 56, who is running for barangay captain against the incumbent, Basilisa Ouano, the sister of Provincial Board Member Thadeo Ouano, and two others, was accompanied yesterday by his entire slate at the Comelec to report the death threat his family has received.

Prada brought a plastic of a courier service containing 12 mourning pins and candles with a condolence card addressed to his wife, Mylene.

The pack also contained a note stating, “KAMO ANG NANGUNA WALA MAN MO GIHILABTAN PAGBANTAY MO SA BALOS. CONDOLENCE NALANG.”

The said packaged allegedly came from a certain Joel Enriquez of sitio Cogon, Carmen town.

But Mandaue City election officer, Anna Fleur Gujilde, said that they cannot just placed the barangay under election watch list due to time constraints as the election is already on Monday.

She said that there should be enough basis to place the barangay under election watchlist for it might scare the voters and might not vote anymore.

However, Prada’s death threat will be endorsed to the local police for assessment.

Once the death threat will be proven with authenticity, more policemen will be sent in the area during the election day.

Despite of the threat he has received, Prada said it cannot stop him from running for barangay captain.

Meanwhile, the Regional Intelligence Division (RID)-7 has lowered the number of areas of concern from 44 to 42 barangays in Central Visayas based on their continuous intelligence monitoring and validation as the barangay election draws near.

RID 7 chief, Supt. Paul Labra, RID chief, said that from the 11 barangays in Cebu Province earlier put under election watch list areas, barangay Cayang in Bogo City and Poblacion Sima in Dumanjug were taken out.

Barangays in the list are Pitalo, Panadtaran, Bugho and Tongo in San Fernando; Candabong in Dumanjug; Cantubaon and Canluhangon in Tabuelan; and Sumon in Tuburan.

Also Barangay Punta Engaño in Lapu-Lapu City is in included while in Cebu City are Pamutan and Guba but police are still assessing if Ermita will be included due to the recent commotion during a barangay pulong-pulong which damaged the vehicle of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT).

Labra said that they are focusing more in Negros Oriental because of the presence of rebels.

Cebu Province was declared insurgency-free but Labra said they are still looking on the intense political rivalry in some areas.

RID has also lowered the number of potential private armed groups from eight to six based on their recent validation.

Negros Oriental has one while Cebu Province has three but according to Labra, two groups no longer have activities for the past two elections.

“Bisan walay na-record nga activities ang duha giapil lang gihapon namo,” Labra said.

Two groups remain active in Bohol Province. (FREEMAN)