San Dionisio pols want town placed under Comelec control
Because of the alleged biases of the local police, the Lopezes want the town of San Dionisio, Iloilo to be placed under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Vice Mayor Peter Paul Lopez personally handed his letter requesting for placing the town under Comelec control and the relief of San Dionisio cops at the office of provincial election supervisor Atty. Elizabeth Doronila.
Lopez’s brother, Brgy. Capt. Eugenio Eusebio “Bebot”’ Lopez, is running for mayor against incumbent mayor Pio Villanueva’s son, Larry, and Dr. Edwin Fegura.
“Ga file ako complaint nga gusto ko ‘ya i-Comelec control ang San Dionisio nga ang mga pulis amo gali ang goons ni mayor. So, imagine nga ang pulis amo gali ang goons?” Peter Paul quipped.
He added that he also asked for the cops’ relief because they are related to Villanueva.
Even Villanueva also favored for the placing of San Dionisio under Comelec control but not the relief of policemen.
Fact is, he already asked the Comelec central office for the same to ensure that the people could vote freely.
“Kung indi ma-Comelec control, ang mga tawo siguro, indi maka-gwa kag maka-exercise sang ila boto. Nakita naman ninyo nga malayo pa gani ang eleksyon, indi na kaagi dira sa alagyan nga gina-agyan sang mga tawo,” he told GMA-6.
It can be recalled that in the 2001 elections, Villanueva’s house was strafed.
But contrary to the allegations of Lopez, the mayor denied that he is using policemen for his own personal interest.
Villanueva claimed that he has only two police escorts as opposed to armed men surrounding the Lopezes.
“Ti, ila na ‘ya mga private army. Indi man na mga pulis ukon military,” he claimed.
As to the cops’ relief, Villanueva claimed that it’s disadvantageous to them since they were the ones disarmed by Eusebio and Peter Paul.
Not yet
But given the situation, it looks like Doronila is not about to give in to such request.
She claimed that the policemen are doing everything they could to stop the disorder in San Dionisio.
“I would say that it’s still under control,” Doronila added.
Even earlier, the provincial election officer claimed that it would be an insult to the local police force if the town is put under Comelec control.
Meanwhile, Doronila said that she would look into the request of relieving policemen in the area.
“With all these reports and complaints, we will see if there is a need to relieve the entire PNP force of San Dionisio, Iloilo,” she added.
