Police sets up 31 Comelec checkpoints in poll ‘hotspot’ Samar province

TACLOBAAN CITY, Jan. 13 (PNA) – At least 31 Comelec (Commission on Elections) checkpoints have been set up in Samar province, where many places have been identified by the police as area of concern this election period.

Six of these checkpoints are in Calbayog City, where several election-related killings have been reported since last year, said Samar police provincial director Sr. Supt Rommel Cabagnot.

“Aside from 26 checkpoints in 24 towns and two cities, we have additional five checkpoints in Calbayog City. This is on top of mobile checkpoints in our effort to prevent crimes,” Cabagnot said.

The police official, who was just installed as provincial police chief last month, said that a team of policemen has been patrolling around the city center of Calbayog to step up security in the area.

Calbayog City and all towns within the first legislative district of Samar are included in the police areas of concern this coming elections.

These are Almagro, Gandara, Matuguinao, Pagsanghan, San Jorge, Santa Margarita, Santo Niño, Tagapul-an, Tarangnan.

Outside Samar’s first district, in the elections watch list are Hinabangan, Paranas, Pinabacdao, San Jose de Buan, and Tarangnan.

These areas have been on the list because of past and recent election-related violence, presence of private armed groups, intense political rivalry and insurgency problem.

The police provincial office is also preparing to welcome the 88 members of the Police Special Action Force, who will help secure the hotpots in Samar province during election period.

Samar has 875 policemen with 81 of them are assigned in Calbayog City.

The official assured that policemen are not supporting 6any politician including the allies of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, who hails from Samar. The cabinet secretary’s brother is running for congress in Samar’s first district.

“We are consistent with our mandate. That is to ensure peace and order without fear or favor,” Cabganot added.

The police are keeping its eye on 131 active members of the private armed groups who are in control of 158 firearms. Authorities are expecting that some politicians will use private armies to harm their opponents and intimidate voters. (PNA)
FPV/SARWELL Q. MENIANO