NCRPO: No Metro election hotspot

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said there were no election hotspots in Metro Manila, despite the recent killing of a political leader in Taguig City and a reported scuffle between an aspiring councilor and the staffer of a rival politician in Caloocan City on Sunday.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday at the Eastern Police District headquarters in Pasig City, NCRPO chief Director Leonardo Espina said that Metro Manila is traditionally peaceful during election time.

“We don’t have areas under the election watch list in Metro Manila. These reports [of election-related violence] are just isolated cases,” he said, specifically referring to the killing of Jeffrey Minglana.

Minglana, the former head of Taguig City’s Business Permits and Licensing Office during the time of former Mayor Freddie Tiñga, who has since been on “floating” status, was shot and killed while riding his motorcycle in Barangay (village) Upper Bicutan on April 5. He was reportedly a staunch supporter of the Tiñgas.

On Saturday, Dean Asistio, a candidate for councilor in Caloocan City, said that an alleged supporter of a rival political family, the Echiverris, pointed a gun at him. The incident is still being probed.

“We’re still investigating that, because maybe during the election period, determined assassins are taking advantage of it to misdirect or confuse our investigators,” Espina said.

He noted that Metro Manila had been peaceful in past elections. “We don’t have a lot of problems here in Metro Manila because all candidates here are generally peaceful. But we will continue to secure all [vital installations] in accordance with… the Commission on Elections’ [directives] and, of course, following the directive and mandate [given to us by] our headquarters,” Espina added.