Mayor wants her town declared poll ‘hot spot’

A Surigao del Sur woman mayor has asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to declare her municipality an election "hot spot" as she expressed alarm over the "dismal" peace and order situation prevailing there.

Tandag Mayor Maybeth Delgado cited the strafing of the Radyo Natin in her town and the Feb. 13 slay attempt on Arvin Malaza, the radio station’s owner and hard-hitting commentator, among other violent incidents.

Delgado, who is running for Congress under the banner of the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP), added that "death squads" exist in her town and are believed responsible for summary executions of suspected drug pushers.

"I feel helpless and fear for the safety of my people," said Delgado, the KNP’s provincial chairman and president of the League of Municipalities’ provincial chapter.

She said she has written Fernando Poe Jr., the KNP’s presidential candidate, to help her call on the Comelec to declare Tandag and the entire Surigao del Sur as well as election "hot spots."

"I hope the party can make representations with the Comelec," she said.