In Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City: One dead, 2 hurt in "poll violence"

CEBU, Philippines – One person died while two others were injured in an alleged ambush in barangay Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City that is believed to be due to the intense political rivalry in the area.

Even before the smoke cleared, the two main opposing camps in the barangay have been pointing fingers at each other as the culprit.

The fatality was identified as Junrey Sumalpong, 22, driver of former barangay captain Angel Rodriguez.

Sumalpong sustained gunshot wounds on the left side of his chest and the right portion on his back.

Those injured were identified as barangay tanods Remegio Batilo, who was hit on the left leg, and Alejandro Veloria, who was hit on the right side of his chest. Both of them were brought to the Mactan Doctors' Hospital.

The two injured are men of incumbent captain Lourdes Ibag.

The camps of Rodriguez and Ibag are now trading accusations as to who fired the first shots.

Based on the police investigation, it was learned that residents in sitio Lupa reported that a white Hi-Ace Grandia van allegedly with armed men on board was parked in sitio Lupa offering P1,000 to the residents in exchange for putting indelible ink on their forefinger so that they will not be able to vote.

Ibag said that she sent her tanods to the area at around 3 a.m. to check on the report.

The tanods were on board the barangay's vehicle when they were allegedly way-laid by 15 men.

The aside from Batilo and Veloria, the other tanods sent to sitio Lupa were Bienvinido Tenorata, Janito Dumagin, Renior Siyang, and Nicandro Rodilas.

Rodriguez, however, says otherwise. He claimed that the tanods were the first to fire their guns at PO3 Diogenes Carillo, who was in the area to fetch his wife, Emma, who ran for councilwoman in the slate of the former captain.

Carillo luckily was able to avoid being hit and fired back at the tanods, who were allegedly armed with M-16 Armalite rifles.

Police found live M-16 and 9 mm ammunition as well as empty shells and an empty magazine for a 9 mm pistol.

Ibag denied the allegations that her tanods were armed saying that her men only have their night sticks and handcuffs.

Rodriguez said that his driver was an unfortunate victim as the target was the policeman.

He also claimed that the tanods of the barangay are former Philippine Army Scout Rangers, who have made the barangay as their home after deserting their units in the 1980s.

He also alleged that such were provided to Ibag by Mayor Paz Radaza.

Ibag said that they will not issue any further statements as they would refer the matter to their legal counsel.

The public information officer of Lapu-Lapu City, Eric Monsanto, said that they would not issue a statement regarding the matter and would wait for the investigation.

The incident caused a four-hour delay in the opening of the polling places as teachers assigned to be the members of the board of election inspectors were worried about their safety.

The alleged ambush took place just 200 meters from the Punta Engaño Elementary School.

Lapu-Lapu City Comelec Officer Atty. Ferdinand Gujilde had to assure the teachers of their safety as policemen including elements from the SWAT as well as soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines were sent to the area.

"Dili ta magpadala sa hulga kay kung naay samok willing ta mupa dakop, nisalig ko sa atong mga PNP and AFP," Gujilde said.

The barangay has a total of 5,100 voters distributed to 14 precincts.

Gujilde said that two policemen each are assigned per precinct while the AFP is handling the perimeter security.

Aside from Ibag and Rodriguez, Moises Humabon also ran for barangay captain.

Sr. Supt. Mariano Natuel, director of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, has ordered paraffin tests for the tanods as well as Sumalpong and PO3 Carillo. - With Razel V. Cuizon, USJ-R Masscom Intern/NLQ (FREEMAN)