Negros Occidental police on alert for roadblocks on Election Day

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – Local policemen are gearing up for possible roadblocks that may delay voting in some precincts, especially in the town of Moises Padilla, which saw the killing of some of its candidates.

Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office Director Romeo Baleros on Sunday, May 12, said that they expect roadblocks in Moises Padilla, which was placed under Commission on Elections (Comelec) control after two reelectionists were killed.

“We won’t allow somebody or a group to intimidate or coerce our electorate,” he added.

Baleros said he told Moises Padilla Mayor Magdaleno Peña “not to prevent the ingress and egress of voters.” (READ: Priest in violence-hit Negros Occidental town urges voters to ‘be strong’) 

President Rodrigo Duterte visited the town on May 8 and advised Peña to let residents vote freely on election day. 

For additional security, Baleros said they are eyeing to replicate Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon’s use of army and police trucks in Mindanao to pick and drop voters in their polling precints.

“Maybe we can duplicate that initiative if these things happen, if there’s a roadblock. Preventing the voters to vote, according to Commissioner Guanzon, is electoral sabotage,” he added.  

Moises Padilla, La Castellana and Isabela Task Force head Lieutenant Colonel Adrian Accolador said that within Moises Padilla, Barangay Quintin Remo is another “difficult” precinct as it can be accessed through two entry points. 

The police have identified 5 problematic precincts in the town. – Rappler.com