CEBU, Philippines - "Thank God we have election every three years and thank God that we have fresh opportunities to change the face of our government."
This is how Commission on Election (Comelec) Commissioner, Maria Gracia Padaca reminded for the public in to vote good leaders to change the nation for the better.
She said the barangay elections should not be considered as heated because most candidates are relatives, family members, friends or neighbors who are moving within a very small geographical area like the barangay.
In Compostela, Cebu, however, allegations heat up the situation after Mayor Joel Quiño was accused of sending 10 armed men to the mountain barangay of Panangban onboard his vehicle Saturday evening.
The men, who include six from the 78th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, were allegedly tasked to intimidate the residents into supporting the mayor's ally.
Quiño, however, denied the allegation saying his Isuzu Dmax (YGU 475) was held at the area that night when supporters of incumbent barangay captain Bernabe Castro reportedly blocked the way with a coconut tree.
Quiño told The FREEMAN that his vehicle was borrowed by his cousin, Salde Pareja, to go to Panangban for some important matters.
Pareja, Quiño said, called at 8 p.m. informing him that their way was blocked, prompting the mayor to call for assistance from the town police.
"Nanawag na siya nako kay dili na kuno sila kagawas sa lugar kay giharangan na kuno sila ug lubi nga gitumba. (Pareja called and told me that they could not proceed or leave because a fallen coconut tree was blocking the way)," Quiño said in a telephone interview.
He said it was only around 10 p.m. when Pareja managed to return home.
For Padaca, today's elections should be an opportunity for candidates to show respect towards each other because after political exercise they would still be the same relatives, family members, neighbors, or friends.
"Sana po ay magkaroon tayo ng mas maraming mahusay at matitinong pinuno ng pamahalaan para ang (I hope we would have more competent and credible leaders in government so that the) resources ng ating bansa ay hindi lang mapunta sa iilan kundi para magamit ng husto (of this nation would not end up in the hands of the few but would be fully utilized). If we cannot work for the election of good government officials then we would continue to be poor," she said.
She made the statement yesterday morning in a speech delivered during the official send off by the Central Command (Centcom) of 500 of its soldiers who would be deployed in different areas to help keep the peace in today's elections.
She also reminded the teachers to always closely coordinate with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Centcom Commander Roy Deveraturda, on the other hand, told his men to be exemplars of what a soldier should be-someone who demonstrates quiet and steady dedication.
"We will work together to ensure that this electoral process would be honest, orderly, peaceful, credible," he said, adding that the soldiers must work hand in hand with the PNP.
In Compostela, Insp. Mia Rose Burlat, town police chief, said here were no armed men in Panangban when they responded to the mayor's call for help. What they saw was Quiño's abandoned vehicle.
Six policemen and a team of Special Weapons and Tactics were deployed.
Burlat said the barangay is a solid supporter of opposition Barangay Captain Bernabe Castro whose opponent is, Quiño's ally Oliva Melyn.
"Basin ang nahitabo kay (It could be that they just) na-overreact(ed) ra pud sa mga tao pagtuo nga naa ang sakyanan (when they saw that it was the mayor's vehicle)," she said.
Due to the incident, a five-man team is now stationed in the barangay to ensure that today's elections there would be peaceful.
Burlat said that with the coming of additional troops, the force stationed in Panangban could be augmented. — (FREEMAN)