Surigao bets’ followers clash with soldiers

BUTUAN CITY — At least 24 armed supporters of the re-electionist mayor and vice mayor of Madrid, Surigao del Sur shot it out with government troopers last Thursday night, killing one of the incumbents’ followers and wounding another.

Reports from the police and the military said Mayor Jose Mollaneda and Vice Mayor Rolando Gutang and their supporters were in a convoy of 12 motorcycles when elements of the Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion accosted them in Barangay Union, Madrid town.

The 58th IB soldiers, led by M/Sgt. Herculano Clase, did so because of reports that the group was armed, the reports said.

Investigation showed that Mollaneda’s supporters fired at the soldiers first, thus triggering the firefight. Killed was Ponciano Geronimo Jr., 26, and wounded was Alexio Horia, 25, both followers of the mayor.

Seized from the politicians’ group were three short firearms, two caliber .45 pistols, a caliber .357 revolver and ammunition.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Pendatun Guro, spokesman of the 401st Infantry Brigade, assured the public that authorities have tightened security across the Caraga region to ensure peaceful and orderly elections tomorrow.

Last Wednesday, Superintendent Juan Awayan, Agusan del Norte police director, said he would investigate reports that local politicians were maintaining two armed groups, one composed of Ilonggo-speaking men and the other, composed of Tawi-Tawi natives.