Visayas polls described as peaceful by police

Police described Monday’s elections in the Visayas as “peaceful” despite reports of arrests of armed men and violators of the liquor ban.

Renato Magbutay, Commission on Elections (Comelec) director for Western Visayas, said the election period in the region as of Monday was peaceful with only a few cases of violence.

Police reported four fatalities believed to be election related from May 6 to early Monday. Three persons were reported wounded during the period.

The Comelec and the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas also declared the elections in the region peaceful despite the arrests of several armed men in Cebu.

“It’s just unfortunate that we recorded many incidents. But this is because of our security plan that is very rigid,” said Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo.

Six armed men on board an F150 pickup were arrested in Tuburan town, Cebu, on Sunday after they were intercepted at a checkpoint manned by the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) and the Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC) on board an F150 vehicle.

They claimed they were from Iloilo.

Michael Decastillo, 43, of Dumangas said he was recruited by a relative to work in a farm in Cebu province.

The five others were identified as Hepty Relator, 50; Edgar Jareleza, 40; Roel Casas, 37; Federico Acelar, 53; and Gilbert Lorca, 43.

Found in their possession were shirts of One Cebu vice mayoral candidate Daphne Lagon, high-powered firearms and several rounds of ammunition and three small packs with white crystalline substance believed to be “shabu.”

Senior Insp. Florendo Fajardo, Tuburan police chief, said the pickup was owned by Lagon’s husband, Sonny.

One Cebu is affiliated with the United Nationalist Alliance.

Police also reported the arrests of 23 persons in Cebu who violated the liquor ban.

In Capiz, a supporter of mayoral candidate was arrested after he was caught with four .38-cal. bullets on Sunday night.

In Northern Samar, two persons were shot and wounded near the bus terminal in Catarman town at about 12:15 a.m. Monday. Police identified them as Romulo Baynosa and Eleuterio de los Reyes. Former barangay captain Perfecto Piaza of Barangay Narra, Catarman, was detained in connection with the shooting.—Reports from Charisse Ursal, Nestor P. Burgos Jr., Carmel Matus, Rachel Arnaiz, Felipe Celino and Carine Asutilla, Inquirer Visayas