Caloocan politics heats up: 2 violent incidents noted

With only two weeks to go before the May 10 elections, Caloocan City politics is starting to heat up. Last week at least two election-related incidents were recorded by the police.

According to police records, supporters of mayoralty candidate Gigi Malonzo, wife of incumbent Mayor Reynaldo Malonzo, filed a complaint that they were harassed last week by supporters of a city council aspirant who belongs to the opposition.

Complainants Fe Ocampo, Michael Huelar and Michael Opon told police that they were sticking posters of their mayoralty bet at around 1:20 a.m. near the Maria Clara Elementary School on 7th Avenue, when one Louie Viray, accompanied by at least four men, some armed with handguns, confronted them.

Viray and his group, police said, ordered Malonzo’s supporters to stop sticking posters of their council bet Mitch Cajayon, who is running under the ticket of mayoralty candidate Rep. Edgar Erice.

A confrontation ensued and Malonzo’s supporters fled after they were allegedly mauled and fired upon by the suspects. They left behind their service vehicle, which was reportedly ravished by Viray’s group.

On Friday, armed men reportedly burned a patrol car owned by Barangay 97 at around 2 a.m.

The green Suzuki multicab was parked along Ilang-Ilang street in Barangay 97 on 11th Avenue when four men on board an owner-type jeep reportedly smashed the vehicle’s lights and windshield and burned it before fleeing.

The men, police said, fired shots in the air as they arrived and left the area.

Police said the incident could have been done by individuals who want to create a "tense atmosphere" in the city.

The Caloocan City police are now conducting a thorough investigation to pin down the suspects and file charges against them. — Pete Laude