Eastern Visayas police says shooting incidents not alarming this poll period

PALO, Leyte, May 3 (PNA) -– As far as the police regional office here is concerned, there is no such thing as upsurge of shooting incidents in Eastern Visayas this election period.

Although the police regional headquarters recorded 79 shooting incidents from January to March 2016, no single case has been categorized as election-related, said its spokesperson Chief Insp. Ma. Bella D. Rentuaya.

For April, the police recorded 34 shooting incidents, but validation is still ongoing to find out if the firing of guns is related to the May 9, 2016 elections.

“If we will take a look at our quarterly records, there’s no upsurge of shooting incidents this year. 

Indeed, shooting incidents has decreased from 112 in the first quarter of 2015 to 79 in the same period this 2016,” Rentuaya said.

Citing reports consolidated by the Philippine National Police (PNP) main headquarters, the region recorded the lowest number of shooting incidents during the early part of 2016 compared to the past four quarters.

In the second quarter of 2015, the police recorded 120 cases. It went down to 100 and 94 in the third and fourth quarter of 2015, respectively.

The official made the statement after some groups claimed that shooting incidents have surged this election period, especially in Samar province, tagged by the PNP as one of the country’s election hotspot.

“In fact, shooting incidents were not just recorded in Samar, but in other provinces as well,” she added.

Of the 113 cases from January to April this year, 41 were recorded in Samar, 26 in Leyte, 19 in Northern Samar, eight in Eastern Samar, six in Ormoc City, and four incidents each in Southern Leyte, Biliran, Tacloban City.

Among cities, Calbayog in Samar had the most number of cases, but Rentuaya said these incidents were caused by land disputes and personal grudge.

Firing of guns can be categorized as suspected election-related incident if the victim is an election officer, candidate, and active supporter, according to the official.

“The validation committee from different police offices conduct an assessment to find out if the incident would disrupt the conduct of election and if it would create political tension,” Rentuaya added. (PNA)
FFC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO