Tension escalates in Kudarat town

KORONADAL CITY — Tension escalated in Columbio town in Sultan Kudarat following the fatal shooting of four people last Saturday as soldiers were about to transport election returns to the capital town of Isulan.

Earlier, church officials and residents of Columbio, an hour’s drive from this city, protested the planned transfer of the canvassing of the remaining 21 election returns to Isulan, fearing that the tabulation might be manipulated in favor of certain candidates.

The local folk also demanded the immediate replacement of Lumina Pangdamon, head of the municipal board of canvassers, who had left the town for unknown reasons, delaying the canvassing and proclamation of winners.

Reports, however, said Pang—damon had received death threats. But some local officials suspect that these threats were fabricated to justify the transfer of the canvassing.

Based on the partial and unofficial count of the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), re-electionist Mayor Edwin Bermudez of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, was leading Lakas-CMD candidate Tong Paglas, who belongs to the influential Paglas clan in Maguindanao.

"Why is she (Pangdamon) so eager to transfer the canvassing of the votes?...If she is really threatened, then she should tell the police and the military," said Fr. Eddie Pedregosa, local Namfrel head.

Inspector Norberto Dorias, Columbio police chief, identified the four fatalities as Marcos Sali, Kalak Mangelen, Mastura Beng and Kentol Sapi, said to be residents of Datu Paglas, Maguindanao.

Dorias said the four were shot dead as soldiers, on board a Simba tank, were about to leave to bring the 21 remaining election returns to Isulan.

"Masyadong mabilis yung pangyayari (The incident happened so swiftly)," he said.

Fearing more bloodshed, Col. Jerry Jalandoni, deputy commander of the Army’s 604th Infantry Brigade, decided to stay put.

Bermudez has called on the Commission on Elections to intervene "before it’s too late."— With Christina Mendez