35 killed, 27 wounded in ‘peaceful’ elections

PNP chief Dir. Gen. Oscar Albayalde monitors the number of incidents at the National Election Monitoring Center in Camp Crame. INQUIRER photo / Jam Sta. Rosa

Despite incidents of violence before and during the May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, officials said voting was ‘relatively peaceful.’

As of Monday afternoon, the Philippine National Police had received reports of 47 violent incidents since the election period began on April 14.

Thirty-five persons were killed and 27 wounded.

In Sultan Kudarat province, a reelectionist village chair in the coastal town of Palimbang was shot dead on Sunday.

Mustre Aguib, 51, of Barangay Mina, was driving his motorbike on his way home when gunmen flagged him down and shot him dead, according to Senior Insp. Carl Jayson Baynosa, police chief of Palimbang.

In Opol town, Misamis Oriental province, the husband of a village chair candidate at Barangay Malanang was shot dead on Sunday night. Two suspects were arrested for the death of Eliezer Zafra, 41.

Dumagat candidate

In Donya Remedios Trinidad town, Bulacan province, a Dumagat woman, who was running for village councilor at Barangay Kabayunan, survived a gun attack.

Emilita de la Merced, 45, was on a truck with 20 Dumagat people at about 10 p.m. on Sunday when two men on a motorcycle fired at her at Sitio Johnson.

On Monday, a businessman, whose son was a reelectionist barangay captain, was shot at Barangay Poblacion in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu province, around 2:30 a.m. He was in critical condition.

SPO3 Candido Barinque identified the victim as Eduardo Godornez. He said Godornez was about to step out of his Toyota Fortuner when a gunman repeatedly fired shots at him, hitting him in the abdomen, shoulder and leg.

While residents cast their votes in Pio Duran town, Albay province, an alleged supporter of the opponent of the reelectionist barangay captain of Cuyaoyao was injured in a shooting incident.

Heated argument

While inside Cuyaoyao Elementary School, village chief Nilo Soria had a heated argument with his opponent, said Senior Insp. Darwin Sevilla, deputy chief of Pio Duran police.

Soria seized a handgun from his opponent’s supporter Norly Madela, 53. He, then, used the gun to shoot Madela in the back when he noticed that the latter was about to get another firearm.

In Taguig City, voting at a polling place briefly stopped after a poll watcher was mauled allegedly by employees of the City Hall.

Voters and board of election inspectors ran out of Maharlika Elementary School on Mindanao Avenue at Barangay Maharlika about 2:20 p.m., crying for help after a group of men started a fist fight at one of the precincts.

Minutes after police and military escorted out a man whose face was severely beaten up. Maharlika village chair Baisittee Pangandaman identified the victim as Ybrahim Ismael, one of his poll watchers.

Ismael’s wife, Rajah Bai, was also hurt in the scuffle.

Policemen later arrested four suspects.

Volunteers

In Isabela City, Basilan province, Jograd Infanter and his daughter Roselle were manning a precinct as volunteers of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting when supporters of a candidate slapped them.

The father and daughter were accused of being biased for still unknown reasons.

At Barangay Campo Uno in Lamitan town, Basilan province, Raffy Ismael complained he was mauled by two men while he was queuing for his ballot.

Soldiers manning the precinct at Campo Uno had to fire warning shots as some voters and supporters started to become unruly.

At Barangay Lanote, also in Isabela City, supporters of some candidates were also involved in a melee.

In Jolo town, Sulu province, fist fights involving supporters of candidates took place in the Walled City and Chinese Pier, according to Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, the commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu.

Gun ban violation

In Sulop town, Davao del Sur province, police said they had arrested a man for violation of the gun ban on election day.

At Barangay Alegria in San Francisco town, Agusan del Sur province, a 33-year old man was also arrested for bringing a handgun.

Two explosions were heard near Barangay Dungos in Tulunan town, North Cotabato province, on Monday.

“There was no reported casualty but the blasts caused panic among voters (in Dungos),” said Supt. Bernard Tayong.

Eight hours before balloting took place in Datu Unsay town, Maguindanao province, an explosion also took place outside its town hall.

A police report said the blast might have been caused by a rifle grenade. —Reports from Julie Alipala, Divina Suson, Eddie Aguirre, Edwin Fernandez, Chris Panganiban, Jigger J. Jerusalem, Ma. April Mier, Madonna T. Virola, Stephanie Florida, Gernie Delgado, Dale Jan Dino, Mark Francis Banay, Roma Joy Padre, Elyssa Kristine Ella, Maite Denise Bobis, Ma. Teresa Mortel, Doris C. Bongcac, Ador Vincent S. Mayol, Norman Mendoza, Nestor P. Burgos Jr., Jennifer Allegado, Joey A. Gabieta, Futch Inso, Hazel Villa, Tonette Orejas, Allan Macatuno, Carmela Reyes-Estrope, Villamor Visaya Jr., Leilanie Adriano and Yolanda Sotelo in the provinces; and Dexter Cabalza and Jaymee T. Gamil in Metro Manila