PNP, COMELEC ensure peaceful
May election
By ALICE NICART (PIA Eastern
Samar)
March 11, 2007
BORONGAN, Eastern Samar –
Eastern Samar Provincial Election Supervisor, Attorney Butch Beato foresees a
peaceful conduct of election on May 14 at least in his area of responsibility (AOR).
This, he begun by holding a
conference with all the 23 Chiefs of Police of the province. Together with
Police Chief Superintendent and PNP Provincial Director Efren Lagmay and Colonel
Wilson Leyva, Commanding Officer of the 14th Infantry Battalion, some guidelines
were imparted to the police officers. It was however the first yet of a series
of conferences that the Election Supervisor have in line in preparation for the
forthcoming election. The report said that the military personnel on the other
hand will be in charge of the so-called "areas of immediate concern" previously
referred to as election hotspots.
Most importantly, each
Municipal Chief of Police (COP) was instructed to put up at least one Check
Point in the most strategic area of the town with a sign board bearing the names
of PNP and COMELEC to somehow prevent any form of lawlessness during the
election period. However, the COMELEC officer advised that if they are in close
or tight condition, i.e. outnumbered by suspicious elements they may not run
after them and instead alert the next Check Point who may be given more time to
prepare; besides some legal problems may crop up later relative to the
uncertainty of the situations.
The police officers were
likewise reminded to tell their members about proper handling and courtesy
practices in the inspection of things and baggages of travelers. For his part,
Pol/Chief Supt. Lagmay reminded his men likewise, to watch and secure the
province's vital installations, as in power, communication facilities and main
routes and bridges.
The military on the other hand
mentioned of their directive not to handle anymore election paraphernalia as
they did it in the past. Colonel Leyva also disclosed that reports have it that
95% of the barangays are NPA-infiltrated, that each municipality have at least
10 barangays with problem on NPA infiltration. He said that demand letters from
the rebels have been fielded which exact exorbitant fees from would-be
candidates as follows: P500T to P1M for congressmen and gubernatorial
candidates; P200T for mayoralty and P50T to P100T for provincial Board Members.
The conference ended with
the PNP, COMELEC and AFP's appeal for cooperation between and among the
candidates even with those planning to sow trouble in the province, to think and
consider peace and development for the nation. As said by President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo, the coming election is about the economy and that there is no
turning point.
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