Tanod killed in election violence in Digos City

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – A barangay tanod was killed after armed men opened fire at a village hall in Digos City, a day before the barangay election.

Captain Alberto Caber, chief of the public information officer of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command, said armed men onboard a pickup truck strafed the village hall of Barangay Matti at around 5 in the morning Sunday, October 27.

The perpetrators used an M16 rifle and an M203 grenade launcher, Caber said.

The victim who sustained shrapnel wounds was identified as Larry Remios. Remios later died while receiving medical treatment at the hospital.

Comelec Region 11 acting regional director Tomas Valera said unknown perpetrators also attempted to torch a public school in Digos City on Sunday evening.

The incident happened in Abalayan Elementary School at around 11:20 pm, Valera said.

Valera commented that the strafing and attempted arson are both election-related.

“Not sure kung saan connected, [kung] sa barangay [election] or sa plebiscite. But definitely related sa election,” Valera said.

(We’re not sure if it’s connected to the barangay election or to the plebiscite, but definitely related to the election.)

Voters in the area are also deciding on the creation of a new province, Davao Occidental, to be carved out of the present Davao del Sur province.

Meanwhile, a grenade was lobbed at the house of Fiscal Artemio Tajon in the same city early morning Monday, October 28. No casualties were reported as of posting.

Valera said they are not yet sure of the incident was election related. “‘Yong grenade throwing hindi pa sure kung related,” he said. (The grenade throwing incident, we’re not sure if it’s related.) – Rappler.com