Motion filed to suspend proclamation of Malabang candidate

Map of Lanao del Sur shows Malabang town.

MANILA, Philippines — The camp of Malabang, Lanao del Sur mayoralty candidate Al-Rashid Macapodi has filed a motion before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) seeking to suspend the proclamation of rival Dagar Balindong.

Macapodi cited in his petition that violent incidents have affected several precincts in Malabang town, resulting to a failure of election in their area.

The incidents were witnessed by Aminoden Macapodi and Aliya M. Tangcolo who were among the petitioners.

Supporters of Macapodi’s rival candidate allegedly “attacked” several voting precincts and confiscated the ballots. This led to a shoot out that killed 4 people and injured others.

As a result, some of the voters left the polling center without casting their votes out of fear.

Macapodi’s camp said a total of 7,878 voters covered the affected precincts including:

Chinatown (POB) Precinct No. 0001A, 0001B, 0002A, 0003A, 0004A, 0004B, 0005A;
Banday Precinct No. 0006A-0006B, 0007A, 0007B, 0008A, 0008B, 0009A, 0010A;
Campo Muslim Precinct No. 0011A, 0011B, 0012A, 0013A, 0014A, 0015A, 0016A, 0017A, 0018A, 0019A, 0020A, 0021A;
BPS Village Precinct No. 0022A-0027A; CORAHAB Precinct No. 0028A-0038A;
Pasir Precinct No. 0039A-0044A,
Bagoaingud Precinct No. 0078A-0079A; and,
Betayan Precint No. 0118A-0118D of Barangay Campo Muslim sa Malabang, Lanao del Sur.

“Considering the seriousness of the allegation, there is a need to immediately suspend the proclamation of the respondent Balindong. And in the event that the respondent was already proclaimed, then to immediately annul the proclamation,” said Macapodi in his motion.

“The petitioner is willing to put up a bond to answer for the damages that may be caused by this petition in the amount that may be determined by this Honorable Commission.”

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