Comelec orders review of election security plan
Commission on Elections (Comelec) regional director Atty. Dennis Ausan yesterday said the Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC) will review their election security operation plan after former Pulupandan Mayor Luis Mondia Jr. was shot dead Wednesday inside the Jaro Cathedral compound.
Ausan could not categorically say yet on whether the incident is election-related and whether the same warrants placing Pulupandan, Negros Occidental under Comelec control.
Ausan said they have to first evaluate the security measures including the implementation of the total gun ban. He said it must be considered that the murder happened on the period when the total gun ban is being implemented.
Reports said one of the suspects used a .45 caliber pistol in shooting Mondia who is also running for mayor against incumbent Pulupandan mayor Magdaleno Peña.
Peña denied involvement in Mondia’s assassination.
The motorcycle-riding suspects immediately left the churchyard after Mondia slumped on the ground. The former mayor succumbed to three fatal wounds.
He was with his wife Evelinda and sever-year old grand daughter when shot by one of the suspects.
The Mondias joined the thousands of Catholics Wednesday in observing the 40-days Lenten season starting with Ash Wednesday. They do not have police or military escorts.
The Comelec along with its counterparts, the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines should formulate measures that will prevent the occurrence of similar incident in any part of the region.
“Law enforcers should not only be a reactionary force but they have to avert the same incident,” said Ausan.
Ausan believes Mondia’s death will likewise affect on the conduct of election in Pulupandan. He said they will gather different inputs from the Comelec field officers, Comelec provincial election supervisor, Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The Comelec regional director said everything must be reviewed. He will also ask the PNP and AFP of an updated list of areas in their watchlist from all over the region.
