Armor, soldiers sent to keep peace in Cavite

Special units of the Philippine Army in full battle gear backed up by armored cars, together with the police forces of Bacoor, Cavite stood guard in front of the municipal hall to avert violent confrontation between the supporters of mayoralty aspirant Lani Mercado Revilla and incumbent Mayor Jessie Castillo.

Tension and tempers rose as the election returns stacked up outside the municipal hall as early as 5:30 a.m. were not canvassed right away while election returns from 73 barangays remain outside as of press time.

Comelec officials in the town were widely criticized for the slow and unsystematic gathering of the election returns from the voters.

Voters milling about the municipal hall told The STAR that several ballot boxes were not padlocked.

Supporters of both mayoralty candidates fear ballot switching may transpire as dismayed teachers went home after the very slow gathering of the ballots by Comelec representatives.

The STAR later learned that there were only two Comelec officials assigned in Bacoor, Cavite to handle the canvassing.

There were unconfirmed reports that some teachers took the ballot boxes home with them. — Wilfredo Suarez