Lapu-Lapu police: No armed group in the city

THE Lapu-Lapu City police wanted the city to be removed from the list of places with potential presence of private armed groups by politicians in the coming mid-term elections.

Supt. Jonathan Abella, deputy chief of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO), said they have already verified that there was no armed group in the city.

The Regional Intelligence Division (RID) headed by Supt. Paul Labra II included Lapu-Lapu City in the list.

Abella said RID’s report was based on the previous related-incidents including the killing of bodyguards of a politician in Olango Island.

Abella said some persons involved in the shooting are now barangay tanods.

At least four potential armed groups in Cebu and another five in Negros Oriental are being monitored by police.

There are 81 towns in Central Visayas that were recommended by the police to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to be placed under Election Watchlist Areas (EWAS).

Placed under the election watchlist are the towns in Cebu’s fourth district such as Bantayan, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Medellin, San Remigio, Sta. Fe, Tabogon, and Tabuelan.  Bogo City was also included in the list./CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON