Abra on high alert ahead of polls
At least 44 Abra teachers — 13 from Bucay, 14 from Pilar, three in Lagayan, six in Lagangilang and eight in Bangued — begged off to serve in the 30 October polls
Daily TribuneAt least 44 Abra teachers — 13 from Bucay, 14 from Pilar, three in Lagayan, six in Lagangilang and eight in Bangued — begged off to serve in the 30 October polls
Bangued, Abra — The provincial government here is appealing to have more government security forces be deployed in the province to ensure that election-related violence will be thwarted ahead of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on 30 October.
Abra Governor Dominic Valera and Vice Governor Ma. Jocelyn Valera-Bernos urged the national government to provide more security due to the rising tension in the province.
This comes after skirmishes were recorded on 9 October 2023 between patrolling policemen versus an armed group in Bucay town.
The governor recently appealed for calm and sobriety among his constituents while condemning the "terrorism" perpetrated by unidentified armed men knocking on doors in villages pitching on their candidates.
He also stressed that the past two elections "were conflict-free and Abrenios enjoyed a harmonious community."
Valera also urged the leadership of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to deploy more policemen and soldiers to secure Abra, as he emphasized that the province expects "to enjoy a free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible elections."
He added that he is alarmed that 122 barangay and SK bets for different positions throughout the province, including members of the board of election inspectors "were forced to ultimately withdraw their candidacies and participation" in the upcoming polls.
At least 44 Abra teachers — 13 from Bucay; 14 from Pilar, three in Lagayan; six in Lagangilang and eight in Bangued — begged off to serve in the 30 October polls, according to the Commission on Elections in Abra.
Although Abra provincial election supervisor Atty. Richelle Belmes still believes the situation is generally peaceful, she acknowledged the threats in Bucay and some in Pilar and Bangued towns "with alleged terrorism and intimidation."
Bucay Mayor Dominador Go is Valera's son-in-law and Vice Governor Valera-Bernos' brother-in-law to Ma. Sylvia Valera-Go, a barangay chairman post candidate in Bucay town.
Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. David K. Peredo, meanwhile, had so far dismissed any connection between Balmaceda and the mayor of Bucay, including the recently caught two males who according to the police official were among those nine members of an armed group that fought with patrolling policemen last Monday.
The encounter was a follow-up operation after two employees of Bucay town were poked in the head by long firearms.
