Comelec can’t rule Zambo Sibugay mayor’s death as ‘poll-related violence’ yet

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has not yet considered the death of Tungawan town Mayor Ramon Climaco of Zamboanga Sibugay province as a case of election-related violence.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Comelec spokesperson Atty. James Jimenez said that the poll body is cautious in classifying deaths involving elected officials as cases of election-related violence.

“Ang concern natin is that kahit na malayo pa yung election period, na magsisimula pa sa January, merong mga events na maiinterpret as election-related. But we want to be careful on putting a label on such events kasi ayaw naman namin na magkaroon ng impression na sobrang gulo where in fact, hindi naman pala,” Jimenez said.

(Our concern is that even though the election period is still far off and will start in January, there are events already that can be interpreted as election-related. But we want to be careful with putting a label on such events because we don’t want to give an impression that it’s chaotic when in fact, it’s really not.)
“Unfortunately, hindi naman lahat ng ganung events ay election-related, even if they involve elected officials,” he added.

(Unfortunately, not all events like that are election-related, even if they involve elected officials.)

The Comelec spokesperson said that they will schedule a command conference with the Philippine National Police (PNP) “as early as possible” regarding Climaco’s case.

Climaco was gunned down in an ambush when he and his team were on their way to the village of Bantungan in Tungawan Monday afternoon. Vice Mayor Raup Arbison and two others were wounded.

Meanwhile, Jimenez also explained that a place can be considered as an “area of concern” or an “election hot spot” if:

-there is an overall pattern of violence which persists in the area;

-if there is a history of violence,

-if there is a possibility that violence may erupt due to the existence of warring political factions and;

-if armed groups are present in the area.

The PNP is already conducting a security evaluation of possible places which can be considered as “areas of concern.”

When an area has been classified as an “area of concern,” it is expected that there will be an increased presence of policemen there, Jimenez explained.

“The coordination between Comelec and the PNP is strengthened and in extreme cases, the Comelec takes over,” he said. JE

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