PNP notes peaceful special polls in Isabela village

What remains of a torched vote counting machine in Isabela. (Photo from Isabela Police Provincial Office)

MANILA, Philippines — The recently concluded special elections held in Barangay Dicamay Uno in Jones, Isabela on Monday was held peacefully, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

In a statement, PNP spokesperson Col. Bernard Banac said the special elections “turned out to be generally peaceful and orderly with no untoward incident reported.”

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) had to schedule special polls in the village after armed men torched two vote counting machines there that contained some 1,000 votes.

Banac said reports reaching Gen. Oscar Albayalde, PNP chief, from local police officials reported that voting was officially closed at 6 p.m.

“Thereafter, members of BEI [Board of Election Inspectors] with VCMs and election paraphernalia withdrew from Barangay Dicamay Uno in Jones, Isabela escorted by personnel of the Jones Police Station led by Police Major Ruben Martinez,” Banac said.

The team then arrived at the municipal hall in Jones with the VCMs and election paraphernalia at around 7:10 p.m.

The results were then successfully transmitted to the municipal board of canvassers at around 7:32 p.m, said Banac.

(Editor: Alexander T. Magno)