Village poll violence: 96 deaths

BARANGAY campaign materials portray a candidate in different ways, such as Panday, a hero character in local movies, and as an ordinary worker, to attract voters. LITO TECSON/CEBU DAILY NEWS

With still a month to go before the Oct. 28 barangay elections, election-related violence has already claimed more than 100 casualties, according to the Philippine National Police.

PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Wilben Mayor said 177 election-related incidents have been reported from January this year to Sep. 22.

A total of 96 candidates for barangay chair and barangay councilor were killed while 41 other candidates have been wounded in separate incidents.

Ten candidates escaped unharmed from an attack.

During the period, 47 candidates for barangay chair and 49 candidates for barangay councilor were killed while 18 candidates for barangay chair and 23 candidates for barangay councilor were wounded in election-related violence during the same period.

Seven candidates for barangay chair and three barangay councilor candidates escaped unhurt.

The 45-day election period officially starts midnight on Friday, during which a gun ban will be in effect until Nov. 28, 2013.

Mayor said their records during the last barangay elections period from Sept. 25, 2010, to Oct. 10, 2010, showed a total of 42 candidates killed, 39 wounded and nine escaped unharmed in election-related violence.

He said that of the 97 violent incidents reported during the 2010 barangay elections period, 24 were validated as election-

related. Among those killed were 12 barangay chairs, 10 barangay councilors, five candidates, an election officer and 14 civilians.

Meanwhile, election-related violence in 2010 hurt a total of 39 persons, including four barangay chairs, three barangay councilors, six candidates, two election officers and 24 civilians.