60 killed, 165 hurt in M’danao poll violence

ZAMBOANGA CITY — At least 60 people were killed and 165 others were wounded in 58 election-related incidents throughout Mindanao, the Armed Forces’ Southern Command (Southern) said yesterday.

This, as the police and the military are all set to secure today’s elections. Starting yesterday, the military itself has canceled all leaves of its personnel.

Lt. Col. Renoir Pascua, the Southcom’s information chief, said the 58 incidents — ranging from shootings and ambuscades to strafing — took place in Regions 9 (22), 10 (four), 11 (three), 12 (eight), Caraga (four) and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (17).

Pascua said the military has raised the "red alert," with all field units ready to cope with any contingency and pre-empt any attempts to sabotage the peaceful conduct of the polls.

Chief Superintendent Servando Hizon, Western Mindanao (Region 9) police director, took over as acting police director of Zamboanga del Sur where many areas were listed as poll "hot spots" due to bitter political rivalries which had resulted in violence.

Hizon said men of the Regional Mobile Group have augmented the police forces in these areas.

The military has put up checkpoints in Basilan to thwart any threats from the extremist Abu Sayyaf or any clashes between feuding political blocs.

Col. Reymundo Ferrer, the military’s Basilan commander, denied reports that remnants of the Abu Sayyaf were roaming around the towns of Sumisip and Lantawan, saying some quarters were floating these rumors to discourage villagers from voting.

Despite this, Ferrer added, "The Abu Sayyaf threats are always there."

Ferrer assured residents that authorities would ensure their safety, with checkpoints put up throughout the island-province.

The Navy and the Marines have also reinforced police forces in the different island-villages of Tawi-Tawi, especially in potential "hot spots."

Capt. Feliciano Angue, chief of Naval Task Force 62, said dialogues were conducted between warring political camps to get their commitments for peaceful polls.

The Armed Forces has also stepped up security in many areas of Sulu, where previous elections have been violent.

Meanwhile, in Southern Mindanao (Region 11), security has similarly been intensified with authorities prepared for a "worst-case scenario," according to Chief Superintendent Isidro Lapeña, regional police director.

Southern Mindanao has at least 1.3 million voters, more than half of whom are in Davao City.

In Davao City alone, the military-led Task Force Davao has deployed at least 2,000 men to ensure peaceful and orderly elections.

Lirio Joquiño, regional Commission on Elections director, said all election paraphernalia have been distributed to all polling precincts. — With Edith Regalado