Supporters of Masbate mayoral candidate cry harassment

LEGAZPI CITY – Two supporters of a mayoralty bet of the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) have filed a complaint of harassment and intimidation against a supporter of a Lakas-CMD candidate in Pio V. Corpuz town in Masbate, the police said.

Senior Superintendent Robert Layon, Masbate police director, said a certain Isagani Tuason and Patrick Viagedor, supporters of mayoral candidate Diomedes Amaroto, claimed that one Bernabe Serafin flagged them down while they were cruising Barangay Poblacion on a motorcycle last Sunday afternoon.

Serafin, a supporter of vice mayoralty candidate Herminigildo Betonio, allegedly poked a handgun at the two and uttered threatening words in the presence of Betonio.

Last April 18, a mayoralty candidate in Dimasalang town, also in Masbate, accused Superintendent Jeremias Sanchez, head of the internal affairs service office of the Masbate police, of harassing three of her supporters, namely Ulysses Cebu, Raynante Atacador, and Ronnie Caña.

Reports said Cebu and Atacador were posting campaign stickers of mayoral bet Zaida Rivas when Sanchez and his companion, a certain Jerry Canale, threatened them.

According to Rivas’ complaint, Sanchez also allegedly instructed Canale to assault Cebu.

For his part, Caña complained that Sanchez went to their headquarters and poked a short firearm at him.

Last April 10, PO1 Peter Maristela, assigned to the 507th Police Provincial Mobile Group, was suspended after he fired his caliber .45 pistol at the house of Partido ng Masang Pilipino mayoral candidate Diony Suplito Lopez who allegedly had badmouthed his father.

Two witnesses, Randy Bello and Eutiques Gueta, caretaker of Lopez’s house, positively identified Maristela as the gunman.

Police found five spent caliber .45 shells at the scene.