More poll violence erupts

A mayoralty candidate of Placer town in Masbate survived an ambush by heavily armed men in the latest eruption of violence that left two of his supporters dead before dawn yesterday.

Initial reports said mayoralty candidate Freddie Quidato escaped unhurt after some 20 heavily armed men ambushed his convoy that instantly killed two of his supporters identified as Nonoy Duan and Toto Duanico.

Senior Superintendent Cecilio Calleja Jr., deputy regional director for operations in the Bicol Region, said the ambush took place in Sitio Bugtong Cawayan, Barangay Cabangkalan in Placer.

Quidato had just attended a town fiesta with the two victims when they were ambushed on their way home.

Investigators said they have identified some of the gunmen.

"We have the identities of some of the assassins but we cannot say if they are affiliated with other mayoralty candidates in the town," Bicol Region police director Chief Superintendent Ricardo Padilla said.

Padilla refused to identify the attackers pending further investigation.

The ambush took place despite the warning of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Calderon to police commanders in Bicol to implement stronger measures to prevent election violence in the region.

The ambush was staged a day after a congressional candidate of Quezon province, Vicente Rabaya Jr., was killed in Quezon City.

Authorities have expressed concern over the increasing number of election-related incidents in the past days.

Calderon, for his part, noted the increasing number of election-related incidents in the Bicol region.

Last March 26, Rene Alcala, a supporter of re-electionist Mayor Leny Arcenas was killed in an ambush in Sitio Landing, Barangay Washington, San Jacinto town in Masbate.

Two other supporters of Arcenas who were identified Victorio Baladang and Wilven Almosara were wounded by the attackers reportedly armed with assault rifles and an M-60 machine gun.

"Masbate has a long history of political violence," Calderon pointed out.

"Commanders in the area must have known this by now and should have learned from the lessons of history. Effective measures should now be in place to avert election violence. I’ll hold the commanders in that area responsible if the situation further deteriorates," he said.

Following the incident, Calderon said the PNP will ask the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to place Masbate under its control.

So far, only the province of Abra has been placed under Comelec control for fear of election-related violence there. This means that the poll body has taken over control of election-related matters from incumbent Abra Gov. Vicente Valera.

The PNP chief also ordered police commanders in the Bicol region to implement tighter security measures during the election period.

Calderon said the Bicol police commanders should initiate dialogues between candidates and have them sign peace covenants.

At the same time, Calderon directed the Task Force Anti-Private Armed Group to descend to Masbate and deploy a full company of PNP Special Action Force (SAF) to start the crackdown on private armed groups in the region.

Calderon also ordered the police commanders to seek the help of the military units to augment the SAF in maintaining peace and order in Masbate.