CEBU CITY, (PNA) — Police are closely watching seven barangays in Cebu province as part of security preparations for the Oct. 28 barangays elections.
Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac, Cebu Provincial Police Office director, said the list of potential election watch list areas was based only on the barangays’ history of election-related violence and will still be updated next week.
He said a clearer picture of the Ewas will probably emerge after the meeting of the Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSSC) on October 10.
The initial list may include Barangays Panadtaran, Bugho, Tongo and Pitalo in San Fernando, and Barangay Guadalupe in Carcar City, all in southern Cebu.
Barangay Sumon in Tuburan and Barangay Cayana in Bogo City in northern Cebu were also identified as communities that need extra attention from the police.
Last May 11, a supporter of a mayoral candidate was shot and injured by two motorcycle-riding assailants in Barangay Sumon, Tuburan.
On the same day, a barangay councilor’s house was strafed by unidentified persons in Barangay Cayang, Bogo City. No one was hurt.
A day later, a man complained to the police that he was harassed by armed men in Barangay Tongo, San Fernando.
In the elections last May 13, tension rose in a polling precinct in Barangay Panadtaran, San Fernando after gunfire was heard.
This prompted police to respond and arrest 13 men, from whom they confiscated different firearms.
A vice mayoral candidate sought help from the police after his supporters were ambushed in Barangay Bugho, San Fernando. Two were hit.
In Carcar City, six members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs), a truck driver, and two security escorts were blocked by armed men in Barangay Guadalupe.
The armed men took the firearms of the security escorts, while the BEIs abandoned their truck and hid.