Situation in Estancia is alarming, abnormal--Comelec
Comelec Regional Director Renato Magbutay described the peace and order situation in the town of Estancia as "alarming and abnormal" as he asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) to take measures in order to maintain peace and order.
Magbutay said the town is not as chaotic compared in previous elections. He said he already met with PNP Director for Western Visayas Chief Supt. Wilfredo Dulay Sr. and discussed the incident involving Mayor Rene Cordero and mayorable Restituto Mosqueda. "We will spare no one in the investigation," Magbutay said.
Magbutay said he is awaiting for the report of Atty. Elizabeth Doronila, provincial election officer and concurrent city election officer. He said they will assess the situation based on the reports before they will come up with any recommendation to the Comelec national office.
As of press time, it could not be ascertained whether the Comelec will elevate the status of Estancia into Areas of Immediate Concern or commonly called as hot spot areas. Once an area is declared as election areas of immediate concern, there will be additional deployment of police personnel in order to maintain peace and order.
Earlier, the town is already placed in the election areas of concern because of the intense political rivalry between the incumbent mayor and the challenger. There were already previous incidents in Estancia that were attributed to politics.
Over the weekend, two of Cordero's alleged supporters were arrested by Mosqueda. Mosqueda, a retired police chief superintendent and his companions were able to seize two handguns on the possession of Cordero's supporters. There were grappling incident and shots were fired which caused a hole in the town's Catholic church. The same incident caused fear among the parishioners as the incident happened in the church vicinity.
The PNP being deputized by the Comelec should enforce the gun ban to all the politicians seeking office this May polls. The Comelec is ready to help the PNP in prosecution of all cases related to gun ban violations, said Magbutay.
The case is bailable and normal process should be followed in the filing of the cases against the violators. Presently, the police and the Comelec is checking the gun ban exemptions given to Cordero and Mosqueda's camp. The exemption permit allows the politicians to carry firearms outside their residence.