Gov wants Negros Occidental under Comelec control

Gilbert Bayoran

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

He cites the recent murders in Escalante City and 18 cases of extrajudicial killings in past elections. Comelec is not keen on the idea

COMELEC CONTROL. Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Maranon Jr. requests that the province be placed under the poll body's watch. Photo from http://negros-occ.gov.ph

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Re-electionist Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr is asking the Commission on Election (Comelec) to place Negros Occidental under the poll body’s control.

In making the request on Tuesday, April 2, he cited the recent killings of a policeman and police asset, as well as 18 incidents of extra-judicial killings in previous elections.

Marañon said the killing in Escalante City Monday night emphasized the need for security in the province for the upcoming elections. Eight suspected assassins from the New People’s Army (NPA) shot dead Police Officer 1 Bejein Tanguan and police asset Joseph Lutrago, who was considered a campaign leader in the city.

“Threats to undermine the people’s free will to choose come May 13 are becoming apparent just on the second day of the official campaign for local positions. Such act of cowardice must be condemned in the strongest term possible, and the perpetrators must be brought before the bar of justice,” Marañon said.

One of the rebel assassins, who was shot by Tanguan before he died, was found dead in a sugarcane field on Tuesday.

Marañon said concern has been raised by many that the killing could be telltale signs that the “reign of terror” and “days of warlordism” may dominate the election campaign in the province.

Comelec not keen

Acting Provincial Comelec supervisor Wil Arceño, however, said the present peace-and-order situation in Negros Occidental does not warrant the placing of the entire province under Comelec control.

“This is an incident in just one city, while there is no similar incident in other towns and cities of the province,” Arceno explained.

Arceño added that all possibilities for the killing, including political motivations, are not yet being ruled out. But he noted that killings in Escalante have been occurring whether there are elections or not, and have been a peace-and-order concern.

“Let’s give the PNP and AFP time to investigate the matter deeply. Comelec-Negros has full faith and confidence that they are on top of the situation,” he said.

Police records show that about 18 extrajudicial killings have taken place in Escalante City since 2007. The NPA Jean Pelle Command claimed responsibility for most of the killings. Marañon called on President Benigno Aquino III to look into the continued plea for justice of residents and the families of 18 victims of extrajudicial killings in Escalante City.

Escalante City was among the 13 towns and cities in Negros Occidental that have been placed under PNP’s election watch list due to reported private armed groups of candidates who are enaged in intense political rivalry. – Rappler.com

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