THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has placed Libon town in Albay under its control in relation to the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) 2023.
In a statement, the poll body said Libon, Albay was placed under Comelec control “due to recent politically motivated assassinations of barangay officials.”
This means that the Comelec will have direct supervision over government entities in the area and has full control over all its law enforcement agencies during the election period.
“Upon due deliberation, the CBFSC (Committee on the ban on Firearms and Security Concerns) has determined that the ‘peace and order situation in the Municipality of Lion, Albay will affect the conduct of elections therein,' in accordance with Section 335 of Comelec Resolution 10924, which enumerates the grounds for the declaration of Comelec Control,” it said.
The Comelec said the killing of Barangay Nogpo Kagawad Relly Mata and her husband Alfredo on August 22 and incumbent Baranggay Jose chairman Alex A. Repato on August 28 were the basis of the recommendation to place the town under Comelec control.
It said these incidents created an atmosphere of fear and anxiety among the people in Libon.
“The town also has ‘a documented history of politically motivated incidents both prior and during elections and intense political rivalry among candidates and their supporters’,” the Comelec said.
“Further, the town is ‘marked by the presence of Communist Terrorist Groups and the notorious 'Concepcion Criminal Gang' which alternatively serves as a Private Armed Group during elections’,” it added.
Aside from Libon, the Comelec also placed the province of Negros Oriental under its control due to violent incidents there especially following the murder of Governor Roel Degamo, which was allegedly masterminded by expelled Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo Teves Jr.
The Comelec conducted public hearings in Negros Oriental following the series of Senate inquiry on the political violence in the province which also unveiled several incidents prior to Degamo’s execution. (SunStar Philippines)