Security beefed up in Danao Comelec office

Extra guards were posted yesterday at the partly burned election office in Danao City a day after a mysterious fire broke out at dawn.

Comelec Provincial Supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano said work will continue in the verification of signatures of voters for the recall petition filed against Danao Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr.

He asked for more security personnel from Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador Jr., provincial police chief.

He also asked for separate watchers from rival camps of the mayor and his brother Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III to help man the Comelec office.

This will ensure that all dealings are fair and transparent in the politically charged contest, Castillano said.

A fire that broke out past 4 a.m. Monday damaged office furniture, a computer and some  records of newly registered  voters.

Arson was suspected in the blaze but Castillano said he would wait for the official findings before making a comment. Castillano said that as a lawyer, he has to decide based on facts from a thorough investigation.

He said the Comelec would wait nine days before fire marshals from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) could determine the cause of the fire.

A melted plastic gallon container was found outside the office near the window where the fire started.

The container and part of a burned wooden jalousie will be sent to their Manila lab for examination, said Chief Insp. Ronaldo Orbeta, Danao City fire chief.

Orbeta said if they find traces of flammable residue there,  then investigators can say the office was deliberately set on fire.

Extra lights have also been installed behind the Danao Comelec office to keep the area illuminated at night. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus