21 killed in barangay, SK poll violence

MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-one people have been killed in 16 suspected poll-related violent incidents a week before the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde has ordered all territorial units to heighten the security measures in their respective areas of responsibility to prevent election-related violent incidents.

The PNP National Elections Monitoring Action Center (NEMAC) is watching the situation in different regions through the territorial police stations.

“As of 6 a.m. Sunday, we have recorded a total of 16 suspected election-related incidents… 15 were shooting incidents while one was a stabbing incident. Twenty-one persons died, five others were injured, and one was unharmed,” PNP spokesman Chief Supt. John Bulalacao told The STAR.

The PNP said village councilman Armando dela Cruz of Urdaneta City who was shot dead Saturday night in Manaoag, Pangasinan was the latest recorded fatality or the 21st victim.

The PNP also confiscated at least 35 firearms.

From April 14 to 29, nine people were killed in 12 incidents which believed to be triggered by intense political rivalry in different parts of the country in connection with the local elections.

From April 30 to May 6, 12 more people were killed in suspected election-related incidents.

Despite the statistics, Bulalacao has maintained that the first day of the campaign period was “generally peacefull.”

Earlier, Department of the Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge Eduardo Año ordered the PNP to intensify the conduct of regular checkpoints and other security measures in all election hotspots.

The PNP has included 5,744 barangays nationwide on the watchlist. Of this number, 2,025 barangays are under Category 1. Intense rivalry among candidates, a history of election-related violence, and private armed groups are present in these areas.

There are 3,448 barangays under Category 2 where all critical factors exist as well as armed threats.

In Category 3 are 271 barangays, where all critical factors also exist, including the proliferation of loose firearms and activities of criminal gangs.
According to the PNP, 182 barangays in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, 48 in Bicol, and 37 in Soccsksargen belong to Category 3.

“As the elections are drawing near, we expect that the political tension in the barangays will increase, especially among the candidates and their supporters. I therefore call on the PNP to conduct regular checkpoints and maintain police visibility as part of the measures to prevent election violence during the election period,” Año said.

“Let us prove that democracy is still working in our country by ensuring a safe, secure and orderly barangay and SK elections,” he added.

Año issued the directive in support of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the performance of its duties and functions in the coming elections.

President Durterte signed Memorandum Order 21 in concurrence with Comelec Resolution 10207, which deputized the military and police to ensure “the free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible conduct” of the village polls.

The Constitution requires the President, as commander-in-chief of the military and police, to concur with Comelec in the use of military and the PNP during elections.
“The President needs allies in the barangays to lead the campaign against crime, illegal drugs and corruption. Let us make this happen on May 14 and make sure that our people will be secure and safe as they go out and vote for barangay leaders who will make change happen in the barangays,” Año said.  – Eva Visperas