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

Tabango, Leyte installs CCTVs to secure town center

TABANGO, Leyte, Jan. 13 (PNA) - The local government unit here is now on its final phase in the installation of close-circuit television (CCTV) camera within the town center.

Mayor Maria Corazon Remandaban said the local government unit spent PHP1.8 million for the acquisition and installation of 24 CCTV cameras, strategically located around the town center.

“This will help us maintain peace and order and ensure the safety of locals and visitors,” said Remandaban.

The CCTV cameras will also be used for disaster preparedness and response.

Some of the CCTV cameras are installed near shorelines and riverbanks where communities are located.

Images captured by the device are directly sent to the operation center of the town’s disaster risk reduction office for round the clock monitoring.

The local government is confident that all CCTV cameras will be operational next month. (PNA)
BNB/SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA/EGR

New Region 8 top cop vows peaceful, fair 2016 polls

TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 7 (PNA) - The newly appointed regional chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Eastern Visayas vowed to work for peaceful and fair elections in the region.

During the assumption of command ceremony, Chief Supt. Jose Erwin Villacorte said neutralizing private armies and lawless elements that would threat the 2016 polls is his top priority.

Villacorte, the new officer-in-charge of the PNP regional office, said they will coordinate with all stakeholders to step up security preparations for the upcoming polls.

“Elections is fast approaching, we want a peaceful and fair elections. Community partnership, improving our coordination with local government units, and working closely with government agencies is necessary in order for us to move forward in a faster pace,” Villacorte said.

“You will see more checkpoints, more proactive operations against private armies and those illegally carrying firearms,” Villacorte told reporters in a brief media interview.

He convened all top police regional officials and provincial police chiefs in a command conference immediately after his assumption at the regional headquarters in Camp Ruperto Kangleon, Palo, Leyte.

Villacorte is formerly the deputy director for administration of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

The Eastern Visayas police regional office was his first assignment in his police service in 1983.

The official replaced police deputy regional director for administration Chief Supt. Cedrick Train, who has been the officer-in-charge of the field office here since October after the dismissal of Sr. Supt. Asher Dolina.

Dolina and other 19 top police officials was dismissed for their involvement in the anomalous procurement of police rubber boats worth PHP4.54 million in 2009. (PNA)
JMC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO & LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA