INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) placed Libon, Albay, under its control for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections following the recommendations of several government agencies.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said that the decision was reached after several incumbent barangay officials were shot and killed ahead of the elections on October 30.
“Dito sa Libon, Albay minarapat ng inyong Commissions on Elections na ilagay siya sa Comelec control base na rin sa rekomendasyon ng ating PNP [Philippine National Police], AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines], Philippine Coast Guard, at ng regional Comelec namin,” Garcia said.
(Here in Libon, Albay, your Commission on Elections decided to place it under the Comelec control based on the recommendation of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, and our regional office.
Last August 22, a councilman from Barangay Nogpo and her husband were shot and killed by unidentified suspects while on their way home.
Six days later, the incumbent barangay chairman of San Jose was also shot dead by unidentified men after filing his certificate of candidacy.
Garcia also noted the presence of private armed groups in the area, which prompted them to place the area under their control.
Before Libon, Comelec had already placed Negros Oriental under its control last September.
According to Comelec Resolution No. 10757, the poll body can place areas under its control for the following reasons: history of or intense rivalry among contending parties, which can lead to violent acts; incidents of politically motivated violence involving candidates and supporters; violence facilitated by the employment of private armed groups; and serious armed threats from Communist terrorist groups and other threat groups.
Comelec said in September that it would also recommend placing Malabang, Lanao del Sur under its control.