Fistfight among political rivals prelude to hot contest

BARANGAY Panadtaran in San Fernando town in Cebu is one of 45 barangays in Central Visayas identified by security officials as a “hot spot” in Monday’s barangay elections.

Less than a week before election day, supporters of rival camps figured in a melee Tuesday night.

Gomercindo Restauro Alfanta, a 39-year-old barangay tanod, was hurt after he was allegedly punched in the jaw by his niece’s husband, Genes Tanudra Navarro, 49.

Defending himself, Navarro retaliated after Alfanta also punched him in the belly.

Investigator Jose Claire Palagtiosa said that Alfanta and Navarro attended the “pulong-pulong” of Ciriaco “Rey” Canoy, candidate for barangay captain and elder brother of San Fernando Mayor Antonio “Abe” Canoy, in a basketball court in sitio Jaguar.

While the candidate was making a speech, Alfanta was seen taking a video of Canoy. Navarro, who was a few steps away from Alfanta, asked him to stop recording.

According to Navarro, when he approached Alfanta, the tanod hit him in the stomach and when the cellular phone fell, he grabbed it and he ran to the police station.

But Alfanta had another version. He said Navarro approached him, punched him in the jaw and immediately took his cellular phone from him.

The phone was turned over to SPO2 Victor Cuyno but until yesterday, Alfanta did not go back to the police station to get it.

Alfanta is reportedly a supporter of re-electionist Panadtaran barangay captain Ricardo “Nonoy” Reluya.

Aside from Panadtaran, 44 other barangays in Central Visayas are declared as Election Watchlist Areas (EWAS) where augmentation forces will be sent.

Deployment of troops for these barangays started yesterday afternoon after the final meeting by members of the Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC).

In Cebu City, there are almost ten hotly contested areas where clashes among supporters were reported during the campaign period.

The Regional Intelligence Division (RID) identified 10 barangays in Cebu, located in five municipalities and two component cities. There are 28 barangays in two component cities and three municipalities in Negros Oriental that were included in the watchlist.

So far, there were already 31 people arrested for violating the gun ban.

In Lapu-lapu City, Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas said he will focus on Punta Engaño and Catigbian.

At the Capitol, Gov. Hilario Davide III ordered security measures strengthened at the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT).

“We want to make sure people are safe,” Davide said. /Correspondents Victor Anthony V. Silva, Chito O. Aragon And Christine Emily Pantaleon