Negros town wants cops, soldiers retained

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Newly elected officials of Moises Padilla town in Negros Occidental are seeking the retention of the additional military and police personnel who were deployed in the area during the recent elections.

Although voting is over, Moises Padilla remains under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Vice Mayor-elect Ian Villaflor issued the call after several unidentified men were reportedly seen roaming around the municipality.

Mayor-elect Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo reiterated Villaflor’s request.

Yulo survived an ambush that killed her brother and nephew.

The killing prompted the Comelec to place the town under its control until the end of the election period on June 12.

The elected officials wanted the augmentation forces to remain until July 1, the first day of the assumption of office.

Police have not recorded any election-related violence in the area since it has been placed under Comelec control.

A task force created by the poll body is assessing the situation to determine the need to retain the augmentation forces, according to Milagros Salud Villanueva, acting provincial Comelec supervisor.

More than 300 additional military and police personnel were deployed in the town and neighboring areas to help secure the elections.

Villaflor said the presence of the augmentation forces have helped return peace and order in Moises Padilla.