Ormoc police chief recommends ‘protective security’ for Gomez

ORMOC CITY, Philippines – Police have recommended “protective security” for Richard Gomez, who is leading in all surveys in Ormoc’s mayoral race, considering that he is a high-profile person and the city is on the election watch list.

Ormoc is under Category 2 on the election watch list, which takes note of the presence of “private armed groups and the New People’s Army (NPA) in the past polls.”

In a threat assessment submitted to the regional police, Senior Superintendent Elizar Egloso, city police chief, said they have reason to believe that Gomez “may be in danger and under threat” and that “granting him protective security is necessary.”  

Egloso recommended that Gomez be given security detail.

Gomez, also the chief of staff of his wife, Leyte fourth district Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, has been going around the city’s barangays, including remote areas, to meet with village leaders and consult barrio folk.