20 killed in poll-related violence
FROM the start of the election period on April 14 until May 1, 20 individuals have been killed in suspected election-related incidents, Philippine National Police (PNP) records show.
The fatalities were either election candidates or government officials.
Five of the slain individuals were from Soccsksargen (Region 12), 4 from the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), 3 from Eastern Visayas (Region 8), 2 from Calabarzon (Region 4A), and one each from Caraga, Davao, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Luzon and Cordillera.
PNP chief Oscar Albayalde said all police personnel are ready to serve as members of the board of elections in the May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan election if tapped by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Albayalde said despite the rule that police officers should be at least 50 meters away from the polling centers, there is always an exemption especially if the Comelec requests for them to assist or totally replace teachers during the conduct of elections.
“We can always assist the Comelec lalo na doon sa mga critical areas na alam nila medyo delikado mga teachers (especially in critical areas where the teachers are in danger). We can always provide also security for our teachers sa mga schools,” he said.
Albayalde said Comelec officials in Kalinga province have already requested for the police to replace the teachers in the board of elections to avoid any untoward election related violence.
In ARMM, police are historically the ones facilitating the election there due to election r4elated violence as well as the intense rivalry of the candidates which put the teachers in fear.
PNP spokesperson Chief superintendent John Bulalacao earlier said that 5,744 barangays nationwide were included in the PNP election watchlist. Of the number, 2,025 belongs to the category 1, 3,448 under category 2 and 271 under category 3.
Under the Category 1 are 730 barangays from the Bicol Region, 501 from Central Luzon, 414 from the ARMM and 36 from Cordillera while several barangays from all the regions nationwide except in Ilocos area are included in Category 2.
Under Category 3 are 172 barangays from ARMM, 48 from Bicol region, 37 in Soccsksargen, 13 in Calabarzon and one in Central Visayas.
“Kaya nga tayo umiikot ngayon sa iba-ibang regions before the conduct of the elections para makita natin ‘yung readiness at preparedness ng iba’tibang regions dito sa gaganaping SK at barangay elections,” said Albayalde.
“I think it’s very important dahil alam naman natin barangay election may kasamang personal at emotion. Alam natin ito na kama kamag anak pami-pamilya kaiaibigan. Mas intense kasi at personal,” he added.
If an area is under Category 1, the police will conduct normal operations there including the conduct of checkpoints to hamper the movement of guns, bladed weapons and other contraband items.
If an area is under Category 2, the police will tap members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the active conduct of checkpoints and patrols.
In a Category 3 area, the PNP and military will bring in special forces to augment their regular troops. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines)