LA TRINIDAD, Benguet - Senior Superintendent Alexander Pumecha, chief of the police regional intelligence department here said the Abra province continues to be one of the hotspots the police office is monitoring for the May 10 polls.
Pumecha said it was not surprising that the province has been included in the election watch list. Police records show that in the 2007 elections, at least 27 people was killed in Abra.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is currently awaiting the Philippine National Police (PNP) official report on areas in the region to be placed under Comelec's control during the upcoming elections.
Last Monday, week two members of the Philippine Army were badly hurt after a shooting incident in Abra town involving suspect Melchor Quibayen Co Kue, 30 years old alias "Tsokoy", the son of Daguioman Mayor Sally Co Kue, while in December 2009, an ambush attempt happened in Bangued against Municipal Council member Danilo Adame.
He was unhurt in the attack.
Pumecha said in 2007, Kalinga was placed under Comelec control after former vice governor Romel Diasen was killed during his speech.
"But it turned out to be tribal related," Pumecha clarified.
The PNP is set to give the Comelec a report of the peace and order situation of the other provinces within the week. (Maria Elena Catajan)