Isabela town tagged as poll hotspot

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines– Police have tagged Gamu town in Isabela as an area of grave concern in Monday’s barangay elections.

This, as charges have been filed against one Aris Galanza Bello and a John Doe before the Department of Justice for last week’s killing of Rolly Lauria, a councilman of Barangay Furao, said Senior Inspector Calixto Labang, Gamu police chief.

Gamu is a turf of former Isabela governor, now Commission on Elections Commissioner Grace Padaca.

Labang said Bello is a relative of incumbent barangay chairman Timoteo Galanza who was pitted against Lauria in the polls.

Lauria was shot dead while urinating during a wedding reception last Oct. 19.

Gamu Vice Mayor Fernando Cumigad earlier said Lauria’s killing was politically motivated.