57 villages in WV push through with polls today
The Police Regional Office 6 deployed additional policemen to 57 barangays in Western Visayas that will hold “special elections” today after they failed to conduct the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections Monday for lack of election paraphernalia.
Chief Supt. Cipriano Querol, police regional director, said security platoons from the Regional Public Safety Management will remain at their posts until the election period ends noontime of November 10.
“I have directed my men not to vacate their posts until the situation is fully stabilized,” he said.
The liquor ban has ended midnight of Monday but it will continue until midnight of Wednesday in areas holding elections today.
The enforcement of the gun ban will also continue in the next 15 days.
Initially, it was reported by The News Today that 68 barangays in Western Visayas failed to hold elections but later, the Commission on Elections 6 confirmed only 57 barangays were not able to conduct polls.
The 57 villages that will hold special elections today include three in Libacao, Aklan – Dalagsaan, Sitio Taroytoy and Manika.
In Capiz, these are Aglupacan, Bato-bato, Buri, Hilwan, Mabini, Maliao, Minan, Rizal Norte, Rizal Sur, Senonod, Tacayab and Taganghin in Tapaz; Agsilab and Poblacion in Sapian; and Pangabuan, Linambasan, Poblacion, Baye-baye and Monet in Jamindan.
Also, 35 barangays in Negros Occidental will conduct elections today.
These are Poblacion 1 to 9, Bungahin, Guintubhan, Maytubig, Panaquiao, Rumirang and Tinongan in Isabela, and barangays 1 (Poblacion), 2 Poblacion, 3 Poblacion, Antipolo, Buenavista Gibong, Burgos, Buenavista Rizal, Cambarus, Canroma, Don Salvador Benedicto (Carmen), General Malvar, Gomez, Mabini, M.H. del Pilar, Miranda, Pandan, Recreo, San Isidro, San Juan, and Zamora.
Tight Watch
Querol said a day before and on the day of the elections, strafing and shooting incidents have been reported that could be considered as election-related incidents, prompting him to order the strict enforcement of checkpoint operations to intercept loose firearms and other deadly weapons.
The police is on a tight watch against possible incidents post-election day as some candidates and supporters who could not accept defeat are creating scenarios, he said.*
