BARANGAY candidates in La Trinidad, Benguet, vying for the different position on May 14 elections, surrendered and taped the muzzles of their guns to ensure a peaceful elections.
At least six barangay officials, who are licensed gun owners, surrendered their firearm at the La Trinidad Municipal Police Station in coordination with the Benguet Provincial Police Office on May 9.
“We have seen those who have licensed firearm applying for barangay election and we have invited them for muzzle taping to be deposited and returned after elections,” said Chief of Police Chief Inspector Benson Macli-ing.
Several pistols and revolver were muzzle taped and signed by the barangay candidates and kept by the police.
Macli-ing added the muzzle tapping also serves as crime prevention.
La Trinidad acting election officer Romeo Aguilar Jr. said the firearms will be returned on May 22.
Following the muzzle taping of fire arms, the barangay hopefuls signed the integrity pledge committing to a clean campaign, observing fairness during the election next week.
The police continue to monitor every barangay in lieu of the upcoming May 14 polls, Macli-ing said, adding they are continuously conducting checkpoints and inspection.
On Election Day, authorities including volunteers and force multipliers will escort ballot boxes per precinct.
“So far we don’t have augmentation because we have sufficient La Trinidad police,” he added.
The La Trinidad Comelec Office meanwhile noted there 41,050 regular voters and 13,746 for the Sangguniang Kabataan from the 16 barangays of the municipality.
There will be 26 clustered precincts where some 348 members of the electoral board comprised of Department of Education (DepEd) public school teachers and 30 non-DepEd personnel.