Violence erupts before UNA can hold ‘miting’ in Caloocan

At least five people were hurt in an early-morning scuffle between supporters of two political rivals in Caloocan City on Saturday, after barangay officials barred the local chapter of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) from preparing a stage for its miting de avance.

Police said monobloc chairs were thrown in anger in the brief clash between supporters of incumbent Rep. Oscar Malapitan, who is seeking the mayoralty under UNA, and those of his rival, Ricojudge “RJ” Echiverri of the Liberal Party.

RJ, the current president of the local Liga ng Mga Barangay, is the son of incumbent mayor, Recom Echiverri.

Supt. Carlito Dimalanta, Barugo station commander of the Caloocan police, said five people suffered bruises in the commotion at the covered court of Barangay 188 in Tala, Caloocan.

Tension rose when barangay officials stopped about 30 supporters of Malapitan from preparing a stage for a gathering supposedly scheduled at 6:30 p.m., he said.

Barangay chair Edre Donato reportedly had an argument with the pro-Malapitan group after the latter failed to produce a permit to use the court, which was also reserved for a cheerleading competition that day.

According to Charmaine Figueras, one of Malapitan’s campaign leaders, they applied on April 30 for a permit to hold rally on Saturday, but the office of Mayor Recom Echiverri did not respond to their written request.

But later in the day, the miting de avance pushed through after lawyer Patrick Enaje, a representative from the Commission on Elections, presented a resolution saying UNA could use the venue.

Dimalanta said Echiverri’s supporters eventually gave way and dispersed.