LCPO to keep eye on barangays with history of poll violence

CEBU, Philippines – The Lapu-Lapu City Police Office will profile barangays with history of election violence.

Since the election gun ban started yesterday, Senior Superintendent Armando Radoc, acting chief of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, said they are yet to identify the barangays with gun-related incidents.

"Sa pagkakaron, ga-profile pa ta og asa nga barangay, kinsang mga kandidatoha ang medyo init og ulo," Radoc said.

Last 2013, the barangays of Punta Engaño, Basak, Pajo, Pusok, Agus and the islet of Pangan-an were under police watch as they were reported to have history of election violence.

In October 2010, a policeman, whose wife ran for councilor in Barangay Punta Engaño, reportedly exchanged fire with two of the six tanods using M-16 rifle.

Police said the shooting incident between Senior Police Officer 1 Diogenes Carrillo and barangay tanods Remegio Batilo and Alejandro Belonia had political involvement.

Carillo was assigned in Lilo-an Police Station at that time.

The incident also led to the death of Junrey Sumalpong, the driver of Angel Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, who is a mayoral candidate this year, then ran for barangay captain in Punta Engaño but lost against Lourdes Ibag,  the current barangay chief.

Batilo and Belonia were reportedly Ibag's men.

In order that the said violence will not happen in this year's elections, Radoc said they should be proactive in conducting police patrol.

"Atong ipatrolya ang area, unya mahimo tingali atong ipatawag ang mga kandidato nga mag-signing of covenant," Radoc said.

Radoc said they will deploy police personnel during election season.

"Mao ning mga pamaagi nato nga dako og ikatabang sa crime prevention aron di na masubli ang nahitabo sa niaging election," Radoc added.

The simultaneous security checkpoint in relation to election gun ban will begin at 12:01 a.m. pursuant to the instruction from Police Regional Office-7 and Commission on Elections.

"Igka-11 p.m., naay pari mag-blessing sa mga personnel nato before the operation. Simultaneous checkpoint sa atong LCPO og Tourist Police Unit kada-adlaw apil na ang five police stations (sa city). Rotational ang duty hours nila," Radoc said. (FREEMAN)