A pe-election violence appeared to have disrupted the conduct of the national and local elections as thousands of registered voters will troop to their respective poll precincts to cast their votes on May 9, 2022.
But report reaching the TIMES said that authorities concerned are said to be on top of the situation as they assure the safe, accurate and free elections.
This came as report said that two unnamed barangay chairmen of Tagustusan and Sto. Nino in the vicinity of Hanopol, Balilihan town had been threatened by armed men, according to the fb post of vice-mayoralty Atty. Trisha Chatto.
“Gabii, giadto ang mga kapitan sa Tagustusan ug Sto. Niño og armadong lalaki. Gibundakan sila og armas ug giingnan nga dili pabotaran si Gov. Art Yap, Cong. Chatto, Mayor Pureza ug Trisha. Pabotaran hinuon si Olalo ug Aumentado. Ang dili musunod, patumbahon,” according to Chatto’s post.
But her post was disputed. Evelyn Lomnatas, a facebook user said, “Kadakong Bakak .,, sa una pana intawn magtoo ka nga tinood kay mag Santo man kon atubangan sa pari pero ang kasingkasing naglugitom sa ka itom sa dautang pamaagi,” without any reference or mentioning of name to anyone.
In Buenavista town, report said that the house of Vice-Mayor Christine Toregosa, who is running for mayor, was strafed with bullets after taking supper with the family. Torregosa is supportring the reelection of Gov. Arthur C. Yap.
The report said that the incident is being investigated. While this being probed the post of Tagbilaran City News on facebook said “Mao ba kini ang kalidad sa usa ka politiko nga magpapili isip Gobernador sa atong lalawigan? Hinuklugi katawhan!” (Is this the kind politician who is seeking for governor?)
The said post appeared to be insinuating that the camp of gubernatorial bet Aris Aumentado is responsible for the incident.
In San Mguel town, a vehicle of an unnamed supporter of Aris Aumetnado near the residence of former Vice-Mayor Reyes has been strafed with unknown caliber of firearm on the evening of May 3, 2022, Aumentado personally told. Police in said town are also investigating the strafing incident.
Just last week, Bohol Island News reported that a barangay tanod (village watchman) was shot dead in Clarin town while praying inside a chapel.
Clarin police identified the victim as Antonio Salpocial, 53, a resident of Barangay Cabog in Clarin town.
Initial investigation revealed that on Sunday (May 1) at 8 p. m., the victim attended a novena near the chapel’s entrance when the still unidentified gunman shot him several times.
Salpocial sustained three gunshot wounds that caused his instant death.
Lieutenant Albert Sator, chief of the Clarin Police Station, said the attack may have been work-related considering that the victim was a barangay tanod. Police said Salpocial’s wife said her husband was not involved in politics. Clarin Vice Mayor Allen Piezas condemned the killing of Salpocial whom he described as a friend.
In Balilihan, Mayor Maria Pureza Veloso Chatto, wife of reelectionist Congressman Edgardo Chatto, said that the Municipal Peace and Order council she chairs has passed Resolution urging for the immediate investigation on the threat.
“While the Philippine Army and the PNP committed to conduct surveillance and monitoring activities, the MPOC passed a resolution unanimously requesting the Philippine Army to deploy one squad of army to be based at the heart of Hanopol to monitor such threats to the peace and security of the area and especially to protect our people in the exercise of their right to vote,” she said in her fb post.
“Nakahatag gayud og kabalaka ang report nga nadawat namo kagabii kabahin sa nasinati sa duha ka barangay sa Hanopol,” she said. (The incident has implanted fear).
Dili gyud nato ikatugot nga basta na lamang hadlukon ang katawhan kabahin niining umaabot nga election.” (We will not allow that the people are threatened because of the election).
Meanwhile, police said earlier that the potential hot spots in the coming election on May 9, 2022 are being identified, according to Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) thru provincial director Col. Salibo in recent conversation with media at Camp Dagohoy.
But Salibo hastened to say that this is nothing to worry about since his men (in uniform) are always ready in any eventuality.
As always, the police and other law enforcement agencies are being tapped by Comelec to carry out its mandate in the campaign period to make the election day peaceful and clean.
Identified under the Yellow category are the towns of Antequera, Baclayon, Calape, Catigbian, Bien-Unido, Buenavista, Danao, Sagbayan, San Isidro, San Miguel, Talibon, Trinidad, Ubay, Carmen, Garcia-Hernandez, Guindulman, Mabini and Pilar.
Under Orange category are the municipalities of Balilihan, Tubigon, Clarin, Inabanga, Batuan, Bilar, and Sevilla.
Under the green category are Tagbilaran City, Alicia, Albur, Anda, Dagohoy, Candijay, Getafe, Corella, Cortes, Dauis, Loon, Maribojoc, Panglao, Sikatuna, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Dimiao, Duero, Jagna, Lila, Loay, Loboc, Sierra-Bullones and Valencia.
There is no town fall under the so-called Red category, according to Camp Dagohoy.
Yellow or election areas of concern (EAOC) refers to occurrence of suspected election related incident in last two elections; existence of intense partisan rivalry; presence of armed groups; and the area is previously under Comelec control.
Orange of election areas of immediate concern (EAIC) when there’s a combination of two (2) or more of yellow category; there’s serious armed threats posed by the New People’s Army (NPA), Bangsa Islamic Freedom Fighters, (BIFF), Abu Sayyaf Groupr (ASG), Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and other analogous groups.
Category Red or election areas of grave concern (EAGC) refers to existence of one or more (situation) under Yellow with armed threats under orange. The Comelec may direct the police and army as the need arises and the reshuffling of police personnel.
Green or election areas of generally peaceful (EAGP) refers to areas that are peaceful and orderly in the exercise of the elections. (rvo)
