Arson attempt at Danao Comelec office?

CEBU, Philippines - Unidentified people tried to set the elections office in Danao City on fire yesterday, an attempt an opposition leader described as a clear attempt to scare leaders of a recall movement against the city mayor.

Lawyer Jorge John Cane said what happened was an apparent case of arson because a gallon of gas was still left behind at the crime scene.

At least three computer units of the Commission on Elections - Danao City office was gutted by fire reported at 4am yesterday.

Casual employees of the office who visit the place from time to time especially at night responded to the area after smelling gas.

“Pag-abot nila sa office, kakita sila na nag-aso na ug nagkayo na sa sud,” Cane said.

The suspect reportedly entered the office of Comelec officer Dominic Ian Marigomen by detaching the jealousy blades, which were made of wood.

Cebu Provincial Election Supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano who proceeded to the area from Cebu City after learning of the incident said a computer unit for registration and two other units for voter search were burned down.

Luckily, Castillano said the 2010 books of voters, a compilation of voters’ registration record, were spared from the fire. He said the documents are needed in the verification of signatures.

He said they are just waiting for a signal to verify at least 12,700 of the 31,000 signatures gathered by the camp of Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano against his elder brother and namesake, Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano.

Castillano said they could not use the book of voters until the protection order from the Presidential Electoral Tribunal is lifted. They have asked the Comelec Manila to make the necessary representation with the PET to allow them to use the book.

Following the incident, Castillano said he coordinated with Danao City Police chief, Chief Insp. Ricky Delelis and Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Patrocinio Comendador, for augmentation of policemen to guard the Comelec office 24 hours.

He also asked both political parties for their respective watchers present. At present, only policemen patrol the area.

Cane, in a formal statement sent to The FREEMAN, urged Comelec to use available resources to safeguard its assets including all elections paraphernalia such as book of voters, voter’s list among others.

“Bakud strongly condemns to the highest possible terms this cowardly act of terrorism clearly meant to instill fear among Comelec personnel and the leaders of the recall movement,” he said.

Cane and his camp also urged Comelec to remain vigilant and steadfast in doing its duty and to expedite without delay the verification of signatures so that the recall election will be set within the 30 day period provided under Comelec resolution 7505.

In July last year, Nito filed before the Comelec a petition for recall elections signed by 31,000 voters against Boy.

A month after, Boy also filed the petition for recall against Nito and City Councilors Cynthia Duterte, Carmen Remedio Meca, Alejandro Lawas, Jose Thaddeus Roble, Cane, Marilou Camaongay-Flores, Roland Reyes, Jovelina Enriquez and Miguel Magpale for loss of confidence.

But Boy’s petition was declared by Comelec en banc as insufficient.  (FREEMAN)