Tuesday, October 30, 2007 Third barangay aspirant killed in N. Mindanao By Stephen Capillas
POLITICAL violence claimed the life of another barangay candidate in Northern Mindanao, this time in Talakag town, Bukidnon province late last Sunday evening.
The regional Philippine National Police (PNP) office Monday identified the victim as Patrocino Enecito, a reelectionist barangay chairman in Talakag town, Bukidnon province.
The victim was shot down by still unidentified assailants and Bukidnon police suspect political rivalry as the reason behind the murder.
Enecito is the third barangay candidate to be killed after reelectionist barangay kagawad Emie Payosan of Barangay Puntod in Matungao town, Misamis Oriental and reelectionist barangay chair Panfilo Mangilala of Talacogon, Misamis Oriental.
Payosan was shot down last October 26 while Mangilala was gunned down also by still unidentified attackers in Talacogon last Saturday evening.
The PNP-Northern Mindanao ordered investigations into these murder cases with the Provincial Government ordering an inquiry into Mangilala's murder.
Despite these cases, PNP Regional Director Teodorico Capuyan said the region's peace and order climate remained generally stable even as polling precincts through Northern Mindanao opened for the twin elections.
So far the PNP provincial office and the military had yet to report any incidents of interference by rebel groups like the communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The regional PNP office identified around 148 "areas of concern" in Northern Mindanao for Monday's twin elections.
PNP-Northern Mindanao Assistant Regional Director Danilo Empedrad said Lanao del Norte tops the list with 56 followed by Bukidnon province with 47 areas of concern and Misamis Oriental with 32.
In Misamis Oriental, the provincial PNP office said 23 barangays are considered "election hotspots" owing to the presence of communist NPA rebels operating there and intense political rivalries.
