3 dead in post-election violence in Capiz

MANILA, Philippines - For some, losing in the election would mean a disgrace for the family which forced a man to kill his own brother in last Monday’s barangay polls in Capiz.

Manuel Arcenas, 62, is being hunted down for shooting to death his brother Ramon Arcenas, 54, and his two sisters, Jennifer Arcenas-Nuyles, 57, and Evelyn Arcenas-Espinar, 58.

The elder Arcenas reportedly went into a shooting rampage killing his three siblings after his daughter Isabel lost to Ramon in the race for barangay chairman.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to hunt down the elder Arcenas.

“I am dismayed and saddened. It makes me wonder why they resort to violence. What’s in their mind when they decided to run for the elections. I sympathize with the victims of violence and their families,” Roxas said.

Isabel’s brother, Manuel Jr. also lost his bid for barangay kagawad (councilor).

Reports said Manuel Sr., armed with a .30 caliber carbine rifle, went into a rage shortly after his brother was proclaimed winner of the elections in Barangay Manapao, Pontevedra.

The suspect also shot his two sisters before fleeing.

The incident was among those being recorded by the PNP as “politically motivated” during election period leading to last Monday’s barangay elections.

PNP Deputy Director General Felipe Rojas Jr., though maintained the elections were generally peaceful despite some violent incidents.

As of yesterday, the PNP recorded at least 25 people killed while 41 others were wounded in 46 violent incidents from Sept. 28 until last Monday.

So far, the 40 violent incidents during barangay elections 2013 have surpassed the election-related violent incidents in 2010 with 25 cases with 15 persons killed and 15 wounded during election period from Sept. 24 to Nov. 10 with the voting on Oct. 25.

The PNP said the 2007 barangay elections still topped the number of election-related violent incidents with 101 cases of 57 people killed and 45 persons wounded.

“Although there was an increase in the recorded suspected (incidents) compared to the previous barangay polls, it is expected that it will be lowered after validation,” Rojas added.

Rojas attributed the apparent success of the PNP identification of election areas of concern and areas of immediate concerns.

“Identifying of election areas of concern and election areas of immediate concerns contributed to the decision of the task force where to put and maximized resources, thus effectively carried out its mandate,” Rojas told the PNP news conference yesterday.

Roxas, for his part, commended the PNP for ensuring the conduct of election was peaceful and orderly.