Strafings, harassment and the discovery of four grenades occurred in Bogo City, one of the 18 localities in Cebu placed under the Election Watchlist Areas (EWAS) of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) over the weekend.
Two grenades were found along a road in barangays Pulangbato and Binabag. Two more grenades were found near the old Bogo City Hall, said Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador Jr., Cebu provincial police chief.
Eight members of the Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (ANAD) claimed they were mauled by members of Bogo city’s Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) after they were found near the old Bogo City Hall where the grenades were found.
The ANAD partylist group is supporting the reelection bid of Rep. Benhur Salimbangon of Cebu’s 4th district.
Salimbangon is running against Tining Martinez, son of Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez.
Two strafing incidents were reported in barangays Cayang and Binabag, said SP04 Rolando Torquido of the Bogo City police.
The first occurred at the home of barangay councilor Samuel Ancao Cabalican in sitio Sudlonon.
Cabalican said he was awakened by gunfire and saw two motorcycles speed away from his home late Saturday evening. No one was hurt.
Empty .45 and 9mm shells were found near his home.
A few hours later, the concrete perimeter fence of Binabag Elementary School was shot twice by two motorcycle-riding men past 1 a.m. No one was hurt.
Mayor Martinez accusedCongressman Salimbangon of scaring voters in order to place Bogo City under Comelec watch.
In response, the congressman questioned why ANAD supporters were mauled in front of the police.
One ANAD member, Junrey Singangote, showed some bruises on his back and right arm to news reporters.
Salimbangon said he will file criminal charges against CBACTAF members and the Bogo City police. /Jhunnex Napallacan, Peter L. Romanillos and Chito Aragon, Correspondents