Dumanjug village chief’s house ‘strafed’

CEBU, Philippines — The house of incumbent barangay chairman of Bulak, Dumanjug town was allegedly strafed by unidentified men at around 1:30 a.m. yesterday.

Police Senior Inspector Gilfred Baroman, chief of Dumanjug Police Station, said that based on the statement of Barangay Captain Reynaldo Albios, he heard gunshots at around 1:30 a.m. yesterday.

"Tulog daw siya ana unya nakamata siya dihang nakadungog og buto. Wala daw siya magdahom nga armas. Wala ra pud niya panumbalinga. Pagkabuntag na nila nabantayan," said Baroman during a phone interview with The FREEMAN.

Baroman said they recovered three deformed slugs and one empty shell of a 9 mm handgun from the Albios’ residence.  The steel gate of the house had three gunshot holes.

Baroman also said they only found out about the strafing incident after they responded to a vote buying report near the residence of the chairman.

"Si kapitan naa sa area nisugat namo. Nagtuo mi nga mosumbong siya regarding sa vote buying sa iyang area apan lahi ang iyang gisumbong. Kabahin man sa pagrakrak sa iyang gate," Baroman said.

Investigators of Dumanjug police are still conducting a follow up investigation for possible identification and arrest of the attackers.

Baroman said there is a possibility that the intention of the attackers was only to harass the incumbent barangay captain who is seeking reelection.

"Kaning iyang balay, high ground. Babaw sa kalsada. Gikural og steel gate unya mga 5 to 6 meters away padung sa iyang balay. Sa atuang assessment layo ra sa tinuod nga moinflect og harm ang suspetsado. Maconclude nga to intimidate ra," said Baroman.

Albios also told the police that he did not receive any threat prior to the incident.

Meanwhile, in Tuburan town where six barangays were considered as election watchlist areas (EWAs) of the Comelec, the elections went on peacefully and no untoward incident was recorded as of 5 p.m. yesterday, according to Police Superintendent Melbert Glade Esguerra, Tuburan police chief.

"Naa la'y mga ginagmay nga mga misunderstanding nga nareport but dali ra na-settle. Over-all, peaceful ra ang election as of this moment," Esguerra said.

However, Esguerra reiterated that they are on alert and ready to respond to any incident until canvassing of votes and proclamation of winners are done.

"Everything is in normal situation pero we are not lowering our guards. I-maximize gihapon nato ang atong mga personnel para i-secure ang safety sa tanan," said Esguerra.

Barangays Sumon, Monte Alegre, Putat, Carmelo, Mag-atubang, and Gaang were declared under EWAs because of monitored intense political rivalry, history of election-related violence, and alleged presence of rebels and private armed groups. (FREEMAN)