Negros town to remain under Comelec control

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Moises Padilla town in Negros Occidental will remain under the control of the Commission on Elections until June 12 unless the Comelec decides otherwise.

Acting provincial Comelec supervisor Milagros Salud Villanueva said the task force that the poll body created is also assessing if augmentation forces are still needed in the town.

More than 300 additional military and police personnel were deployed in the town and neighboring areas to render election duties.

Villanueva said they are also waiting for the recommendation of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Moises Padilla was placed under Comelec control in the aftermath of the killings of two councilors, who were seeking reelection.

Col. Romeo Baleros, Negros Occidental police officer-in-charge, said the peace and order situation in Moises Padilla is back to normal.

Vice Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo, who lost two family members, including Councilor Michael Garcia, in an ambush on April 25, was proclaimed mayor.

The Philippine National Police provincial placement and promotion board is set to convene to determine if there is a need to retain troopers of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion.

“I can see... there is a need to maintain our presence in the municipality,” Brig. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said.