100 cops deployed at Bulacan capitol

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Philippines – To prevent hostilities between the supporters of ousted Bulacan Gov. Joselito Mendoza and former governor Roberto Pagdanganan who the Commission on Elections declared winner in the 2007 polls, police are deploying 100 lawmen at the provincial capitol today.

Chief Superintendent Leon Nilo de la Cruz, Central Luzon police director, has directed the acting Bulacan police director, Senior Superintendent Edgar Tinio, to “see to it that there will be no violence there,” as Pagdanganan vowed to retake the governor’s office this morning.

Last Friday, Pagdanganan secured a writ of execution from the Comelec.

Mendoza warned though that violence might erupt if Pagdanganan and his supporters would force their way into the provincial capitol where he and his supporters have stayed since Thursday night. Trucks and heavy equipment block roads leading to the capitol.

Mendoza said he would not step down unless the Supreme Court orders him to do so, adding that he has 30 days to appeal the Comelec decision or get a favorable ruling from the SC.  – With Dino Balabo