Curfew imposed in Ilocos Norte ahead of barangay, SK polls

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte—A province-wide curfew has been imposed in Ilocos Norte beginning Sunday night (October 29), the eve of the 2023 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

According to an executive order issued by Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc, the curfew is from 10 p.m. on Sunday to 4 a.m. on Monday (October 30).

The curfew has been imposed after the Ilocos Norte police received information on “actual physical violence and reported armed groups in various areas in the province” ahead of the elections.

Acting on these reports, Manotoc said that the Ilocos Norte police had augmented its security efforts through the installation of “satellite makeshift outposts in numerous locations in the province.”

The curfew was also meant to deter rampant vote-buying and vote selling, and support the liquor ban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Exempted from the curfew are personnel of the Comelec and other authorized individuals by the agency; health workers from the public and private sectors; government officials; law enforcers; private individuals traveling on emergency; and establishments which ordinarily operate round the clock such as hospitals, pharmacies, food houses, call centers, and other essential establishments.

In Ilocos Sur, police on Sunday said it is investigating a shooting incident in Butol village on Saturday afternoon (October 28) after an incumbent village chief and his daughter were shot and wounded.