THE towns of Libon in Albay and Malabang in Lanao del Sur have been recommended by the Philippine National Police (PNP) to be placed under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) due to violent election-related incidents recorded there.
In a press conference on Monday, September 11, 2023, PNP chief of the Public Information Office (PIO) chief Colonel Jean Fajardo said the police so far recorded a total of 22 suspected election-related violent incidents (ERVIs) since the election period started on August 28.
Of the 22, two were validated as ERVIs while 11 incidents in Central Luzon, Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula and Caraga were non-ERVIs. The others are still undergoing validation.
The two validated ERVIs were the killing of Barangay Jose in Libon town chairman Alex Repato on August 28, hours after he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for the October 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), while the other is the indiscriminate firing during the filing of COC in Malabang, Lanao del Sur.
Fajardo said investigators have already identified Persons of Interest (PIOs) in the execution of Repato, which “created a political tension in the area that affected the just concluded filing of COC.”
She said two suspects in the Malabang incident have surrendered to the police and were charged with violation of the election gun ban, illegal use of firearms and alarm and scandal.
The suspects also surrendered their two M16 long firearms.
Fajardo said investigators are also looking into reports that the suspects serve as bodyguards to an incumbent politician in the town.
One incident that is under validation is the killing of Erasmo Divino Hernandez, the reelectionist chairman of Barangay Poblacion Zone 10 in Taal, Batangas who was gunned down on September 5 in front of the barangay hall.
Two alleged accomplices of the motorcycle-riding suspects were arrested following the incident.
“Sa ngayon ay meron na tayong POIs diyan at hinihintay lang natin ‘yung report ng Batangas PPO (Police Provincial Office) at maganda ‘yung lead na sinusundan diyan but I am not at liberty to divulge it right now dahil nakiusap ‘yung Batangas PPO to keep it under wraps for now hangga't ongoing ‘yung kanilang follow-up investigation,” said Fajardo.
Meanwhile, Fajardo said as of 6 a.m. Monday, September 11, 286 firearms were confiscated and 456 were arrested amid the implementation of the gun ban.
The PNP is part of the Joint Security Peace and Order Committee for the upcoming BSKE. (SunStar Philippines)