Relief of town police force sought over killings

BACOLOD CITY , Philippines — The Negros Occidental police has recommended the relief of the entire police force of Moises Padilla town due to a spate of election-related violence.

Col. Romeo Baleros, officer-in-charge of the provincial police, said over the weekend that he requested the Regional Joint Security Coordinating Center (RJSCC) to replace the members of the Moises Padilla police station.

Baleros said his move would erase doubts that the police is biased toward some candidates. He said he expects the RJSCC to issue the relief orders today.

Vice Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo earlier sought the relief of the police force after two of her relatives were killed in an ambush last week.

Yulo was with her brother Mark Garcia and nephew Councilor Michael Garcia when they were ambushed in Barangay Inolingan on Thursday.

On March 30, reelectionist Councilor Jolomar Hilario was killed by suspected rebels in the same barangay.

Yulo is running for mayor while Michael was seeking reelection. She said she has lost confidence in the local police.

At least 30 suspects have been charged for the killing of Mark and Michael.

On Saturday, about 150 Army soldiers were deployed in Moises Padilla to help ensure orderly and peaceful elections.

Aside from the soldiers, additional police personnel were also deployed in the area.

The deployment came after the Provincial Joint Security Center of Negros Occidental recommended that the town be placed under the control of the Commission on Elections.

Baleros said he would assign security personnel so the candidates could campaign freely, especially in remote barangays.