Sunday, December 02, 2007 Manila to help process permit to carry firearms for officers
THE recent murder of a Commission on Elections (Comelec) director has prompted other poll body officials to allow its field officers to bring firearms with them.
Provincial Election Supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano said the Comelec head office will help its field officers get permits to carry for their licensed firearms.
The Comelec office in Pangasinan was the first to make such request before the Comelec head office decided to include other field officers nationwide.
Castillano is now encouraging his election officers to get licensed firearms, saying that it is inevitable for an election officer to get threats especially during election period.
Bogo Election Officer Jose Barriga admitted that even though he is not really fond of firearms, he welcomes the decision of Comelec Manila. He also recognized the threat to their lives because of their job.
Director
Lawyer Alioden Dalaig, 63, was killed in an ambush on Nov. 10. At the time of his death, Dalaig was the director of the Comelec’s law department. Dalaig’s murder prompted the Comelec head office to strengthen its security personnel.
An election officer from Luzon was shot shortly after the Oct. 29 synchronized elections.
Aside from Dalaig’s murder, the Comelec head office has also found that the country is in ‘intense and volatile’ political situation due to the recently concluded barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls. (MBG)
