More patrols in Ermita sought

THE chief of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) ordered more patrolling in barangay Ermita after supporters of two election parties created trouble Friday night.

Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino Constantino added that if necessary, they will conduct more checkpoints in the area and might include Ermita in the police list of areas of election concern. The barangay elections will be on Monday, Oct. 28.

Supporters of former barangay Captain Felicimo “Emuk” Rupinta and that of his opponent reportedly clashed last Friday.

The rear windshield of the police car of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team was smashed during the commotion.

One of the SWAT members who responded said they could not identify whose supporters were responsible for the damage of the patrol car.

Constantino said what happened was a minor incident but had to be addressed immediately to avoid making the situation worse.

“This is a minor incident that we should stop to prevent the bigger ones,” Constantino said.  /Correspondent Chito O. Aragon