Police: Place Isabela town under Comelec control

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Police have asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to place under its control Isabela’s coastal town of Palanan where special barangay elections will be held this weekend.

Police noted the intense political rivalries among candidates in the town.

This developed as authorities have taken into their custody Wilmer Atienza, chairman of Palanan’s Barangay Marikit, for his alleged involvement in last Wednesday’s killing of his rival, Alexander Salazar, and the latter’s companion, Ladislao Lanioza Jr. 

The groups of Atienza and Salazar were reportedly on the campaign trail when they crossed paths in front of the house of one Orlando de la Peña. A verbal tussle ensued, leading to an exchange of gunfire. 

Senior Superintendent Jimmy Rivera, Isabela police director, said placing the entire Palanan town under Comelec control would prevent the escalation of violence.

“We already asked the Comelec to have Palanan under its control until the end of the special election period in the area,” Rivera said.

The barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls in Palanan as well as in two other Pacific coastal towns, Maconacon and Divilacan, have been reset to Nov. 20 due to the devastation wreaked by super typhoon “Juan” last Oct. 18. – Charlie Lagasca, Raymund Catindig