TACLOBAN CITY — The local government of Matuguinao town on Thursday revealed that the communist movement is solidifying its remaining forces in Samar to support certain candidates in the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

Matuguinao Mayor Aran Boller disclosed that remaining supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People's Army convened in Barangay San Roque in the municipality to form a ticket that will face the incumbent officials.

He said that residents of the village informed him of the said meeting prompting him to seek the help of the military, adding that the 8th Infantry Division immediately deployed troops from the 19th Infantry Battalion to secure the village.

"We only want to have an honest and peaceful conduct of elections where people are free to vote without being intimidated," Boller said. "Every election in the past, there is always election-related violence that happens. This has affected the image of our municipality."

Boller said that based on the information from the residents, the meeting of communist supporters happened a week before the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy ended. He said he immediately had the incident investigated and found that the information was indeed accurate.

He added that except for Barangay San Roque, all incumbent officials of the 19 other barangays of Matuguinao from the barangay captains to kagawad and Sangguniang Kabataan are running unopposed.

"We encourage everyone to participate in the coming elections but we cannot allow the communist movement to have a comeback in any of the barangays again," Boller said.