NCRPO insists no ERVIs, poll hot spots in Metro

MANILA, Philippines – National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Roberto Rosales said yesterday there have been no election-related violent incidents (ERVIs) recorded since the start of the campaign period last Feb. 9, meaning there are no election hot spots in the metropolis.

“We have not recorded a single election-related violent incident since the start of the campaign period for national positions last Feb. 9 and for local bets last March 26. We are trying to maintain the peaceful atmosphere in Metro Manila to attain our goal of having the most peaceful elections in the metropolis in the past few years,” he said.

Rosales clarified that contrary to earlier reports, the cities of Manila, Quezon, Makati, Pasay, Taguig, Muntinlupa and Parañaque were not considered hot spots but only areas of concern.

“These areas are being watched closely by the police because of the possible intense rivalry among supporters of local candidates of the said places that might lead to violence,” Rosales said.

The strict monitoring of these cities was triggered by a recent survey conducted by the NCRPO, noting the close contest among candidates for positions of congressmen, mayor, vice mayors, and councilors.

As of presstime, Rosales is in a meeting with lawyer Michael Dioneda, head of the Comission on Elections (Comelec) National Capital Region office to discuss security issues related to the upcoming polls.

At the top of the agenda for the meeting is Rosales’ recommendation to place Makati City under Comelec control.

“We cannot just wait for things to happen before we make our recommendation to put the city of Makati, or any other place in Metro Manila, under Comelec control to avert potential violence and other forms of lawlessness. Prevention is always better than cure,” Rosales said.

Rosales’ recommendation follows calls by incumbent Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay to have the city placed under Comelec control following the killing of his supporter, Bernardo Olarte, last March 31 and the slay attempt on his adviser and consultant Gerry Limlingan in Cainta last March 21.

Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, who is running for mayor against Binay’s son and namesake, Councilor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr., also seeks to have the city placed under the poll body’s control rather than have failure of elections.

Last Feb. 7, a stoning incident occurred during the rally of another Makati City mayoralty candidate, lawyer Erwin Genuino, who accused another candidate’s supporter of causing the commotion.