One poll-related violent incident occurs daily

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has noted an increase in election-related violence — one violent incident is recorded daily — and has tripled its security efforts with only three weeks to go before election day.

PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Joel Goltiao said the PNP has stepped up its efforts to preserve internal security by intensifying intelligence-gathering operations and working harder to neutralize private armed groups believed to be on the payroll of local candidates.

"There is an average of one election-related violent incident that happens almost everyday," Goltiao told The STAR in an interview. "We are intensifying our intelligence efforts (in local areas)."

He said the PNP noted the trend after the March 25 kickoff of the campaign for local candidates. Before this, Goltiao said incidents of poll violence averaged one every two days — a statistic that has gradually increased.

As part of the PNP’s security measures, Goltiao said the PNP had also intensified its drive to neutralize armed groups in the provinces.

He added that PNP Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. has directed all regional and provincial directors to step up their campaign to enforce the gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

"We have also doubled security in places in our election watchlist, particularly the areas of immediate concern and areas of concern," Goltiao said.

He reported early this week that a total of 531 cities and municipalities have been classified as "areas of concern" in the May 10 elections. Nineteen other localities were tagged as "areas of immediate concern."

Goltiao said the election hot-spots will be the focus of special security arrangements meant to thwart the increasing outbreaks of violence during the last few days of the election period.

Meanwhile, three people were killed and three others wounded in an ambush past midnight Thursday in the town of Palanas, Masbate. Lina Seachon, who is running for a congressional seat in the province, survived the attack.

Initial reports reaching Camp Crame identified the fatalities as Roy Yamson, Pio Manatad and Vencio Abarte.

Case investigators said the ambush took place at 12:20 a.m., when Seachon’s convoy was attacked by unidentified armed suspects in Barangay Nabangig, Palanas, Masbate. Seachon’s party had just come from a nearby barrio fiesta. Operatives of the Masbate police are now pursuing the suspects.