Pilota asks Comelec to place Concepcion under control

OZAMIZ CITY - The Nacionalista Party (NP) mayoral candidate in Concepcion town in Misamis Occidental has asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to place the town under its direct control.

In a phone interview, reelectionist Mayor Benjamin Pilota, a retired Army colonel, said his camp has been worried over persistent reports from their community leaders about the activities of a group of armed men roaming from village to village intimidating people.

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Pilota claimed that the villages usually visited by these armed men are his known bailiwicks and their activities have become more frequent as the political campaign is now at the homestretch.

"As local chief executive, I can say that these incidents bode ill for the upcoming May 10 exercise. But I would like the poll body to take the necessary security steps in order not to muddle the situation because I am a candidate," he said.

He added that deployment of additional security forces in the town, whether Army or police, would be "highly welcome."

But he suggested that the government forces refrain from posing a conspicuous armed presence but stay in strategic posts near villages which security situation are deemed critical.

Pilota mentioned at least "four disturbing incidents which portend to more violence" on election day unless checked.

The most recent was the killing of Barangay Layaan kagawad Dario Eleonor last April 28 as he was heading home with his wife at around 4:00 p.m.

The local NP slate in Concepcion has blamed Eleonor's killing to politics as he was "our strong supporter and campaigner in his own village."

Another incident was the "harassment operation" done by armed men in Marugang village at daybreak of April 23.

"The men opened fire at the houses; although no one was killed, many children suffered various injuries in the rush to seek safety," Pilota said.

Another incident was the alleged attempt on the life of Barangay Upper Dapitan chair Danny Elianic last April 16.

Elianic escaped death by rolling down a hillside while being shot at by men who supposedly asked him to stop campaigning for Pilota. Elianic has filed charges against a certain Roldan Tinae for the incident.

The first known political killing in Concepcion town occurred on December 5, 2009 that claimed the life of a village chair. The suspected killer was nabbed in Oroquieta city last March and is now facing formal charges.

Pilota is presently gunning for a third and final term as mayor against incumbent Vice Mayor Juanidy Viña of the administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

Last month, Pilota filed disqualification charges against Viña for allegedly violating the rules limiting the number of security escorts allowed to candidates.