Cops monitoring 8 barangays for poll-related violence

Police are monitoring eight barangays in Metro Manila where violence is likely to take place in connection with the forthcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on Oct. 29.

These barangays are Commonwealth, Holy Spirit, Payatas and Batasan, all in Quezon City; Maricaban and Malibay in Pasay City; Putatan in Muntinlupa City and Maharlika in Taguig.

Chief Superintendent Eric Javier, deputy regional director for administration of the National Capital Regional Police Office, said they have directed concerned district directors to beef up security to thwart the eruption of election-related violent incidents (ERVIs).

Javier said these barangays were merely placed under monitoring and not yet considered as areas of concern by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“With only 13 days before the elections, so far there was no election-related violent incidents here (Metro Manila) and hopefully nothing like that will happen even after the elections,” said Javier during the Talakayan sa Isyu ng Pulis (TSIP), a weekly forum sponsored by the PNP.

As of Oct. 15 or 16 days after the start of the election period last Sept. 29, the PNP has recorded a total of eight ERVIs nationwide. Of the eight incidents, five of the victims were killed.

PNP chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. said there were a total of 4,100 barangays nationwide on the government’s “watchlist,” meaning election-related violent incidents will likely take place due to the intense rivalry between or among the candidates there.

Acting Comelec Chairman Resurrecion Borra said he was impressed with security preparation being made by the PNP.

He said the Comelec is ready to release in advance part of the budget for the PNP to execute their election-related task, particularly ensuring honest, orderly and peaceful elections.

Borra, however, backpedaled upon learning from Razon that the PNP needs more than P600 million, the police budget used during the national and local elections last May 14.

According to Razon, of the 4,100 barangays, some are located in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Bicol Region (Region 5) and Southern Mindanao (Region 11).

Razon noted that the PNP has already mapped up plans to minimize, if not totally thwart ERVIs.   – Cecille Suerte Felipe