Post-election violence erupts in Estancia
Although elections went on smoothly Monday, violence erupted between the supporters of contending mayoralty candidates in Estancia town yesterday morning.
In a phone interview with The News Today, Iloilo provincial police chief, Sr. Supt. Melvyn Mongcal downplayed the confrontation between supporters of reelectionist Mayor Rene Cordero and that of his contender, retired Chief Supt. Restituto Mosqueda as isolated because one of the suspects was simply drunk.
Estancia police were able to recover a .45 cal. pistol from Rommel Agado, a casual employee, and a cal. 357 handgun from Jamie Isada. Charges are being readied against Agado and Isada, who are now detained at the police station.
Estancia police chief, Sr. Insp. Alejandro Apostol narrated over the radio that Agado, apparently drunk, shouted that Cordero would still be the mayor as his contender would be disqualified just as Mosqueda was passing by on her way to the town hall.
Mosqueda then confronted Agado regarding his statements.
Drawing a gun from his waist, Agado moved towards Mosqueda. Seeing this, Apostol lunged at Agado and grappled for the gun. Isada then fired his gun at the ground. Apostol said that Isada was with Mosqueda when she arrived at the municipal hall.
Mosqueda recalled being dragged towards the town hall by her supporters before losing consciousness. "He really wanted to kill me," Mosqueda said.
Cordero, on the other hand, refused to comment regarding his supporter.
It was fortunate that no one was hurt during the incident. Apostol said that people were gathered in front of the municipal hall because officials ringed it with tally boards.
Rivalry between Cordero and Mosqueda has been intense. The two previously had a verbal tussle inside the church, during which a shot was also fired.