Salimbangon wants Bogo under Comelec control; Martinez says 4th district

CITING violence like the Tuesday shootout in Tabuelan town involving a former anti-crime volunter of Bogo City, Cebu 4th district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon wants the northern Cebu city placed under Commission on Election control.

In an interview after the filing of his certificate of candidacy (COC) yesterday morning, Salimbangon cited that there is a “problem in the peace and order situation” in the city.

He said the shooting in Tabuelan town last Tuesday involving a barangay captain and a group lead by a former member of the Bogo City anti-crime task force may be politically motivated.

Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, director of the Cebu Provincial Police Office said they are closely watching Tabuelan and the fourth district because of its history of election violence.

Comendador said they are closely investigating the like robbery, illegal drugs, guns-for-hire, and election, as the motive of the attack on the barangay captain of Kantubaon Julito Almonacin. (see related story)

Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez, Jr. quickly reacted saying: “Why single out Bogo City?”

If his city will be placed under Comelec control, Martinez said he would also bat for the inclusion of the whole 4th district.

Commendador however said it would be premature to declare Bogo or the fourth district an election hotspot based on the Tabuelan incident alone.

“But this area is monitored. We are intensifying patrols in the area,” he added.

In a separate interview with Comelec Provincial Supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano, he said that Bogo City is being looked into.

Castillano said the security forces in Bogo has been augmented by the PNP and even the Philippine Army has placed a detachment there.

Castillano explained that there are three circumstances for a place to be declared under Comelec control, namely: history of election violence, intense political rivalry and the presence of private armed group.

On May 10, 2010, tension rose in Bogo City when Salimbangon’s convoy was blocked along the way to the Pulangbato Elementary School.

He was blocked by Bogo City Mayor Junie Martinez, his wife, Clavel, his children, Tining and Carlo and their supporters./With Rhea Ruth V. Rosell and Jhunnex Napallacan