15,283 BSKE bets running unopposed  

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 15,283 candidates in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) on Oct. 30 are assured of another term as they have no opponents.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) data showed that 7,226 of the candidates are running for village chief.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region In Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has the highest number of barangay captains who are running unopposed at 1,200 followed by Eastern Visayas with 863 and Western Visayas, 650.

A total of 8,057 candidates for SK chairperson have no rivals.

There are 1,452 candidates running unopposed for SK chairperson in BARMM, 1,064 in Eastern Visayas and 861 in Calabarzon.

At least 1,611 candidates for barangay council members are also running unopposed.

BARMM also has the highest number of unopposed candidates for kagawad  at 1,021 followed by Eastern Visayas with 146 and Northern Mindanao, 126.

For SK members, the poll body said 10,620 have no opponents.

BARMM has the highest number of unopposed candidates with 1,714; Eastern Visayas, 1,422, and Calabarzon, 1,045.

The Comelec said there are no candidates for barangay captain in eight barangays and for SK chairperson in 124 barangays.

In BARMM, six barangays have no candidates for village chief. Thirty-one barangays have no bets for SK chairperson.

The Comelec said 1,414,487 certificates of candidacy were filed for the BSKE from Aug. 28 to Sept. 4.

Reelectionist barangay chief slain

Meanwhile, another village chief seeking reelection has been killed.

Tito Llamado, 59, of Barangay Anagasi in Paranas, Samar and his wife were tending their farm when he was shot on Saturday last week, police reported yesterday.

Authorities said New People’s Army rebels could be behind the attack.

The Eastern Visayas police said Llamado was a rebel returnee and had been active in promoting the programs of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

Llamado is said to be running unopposed.

As this developed, Northern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Fernyl Buca said NOLCOM units in Northern and Central Luzon would provide assistance to the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard and Comelec in safeguarding polling places and ensuring the well-being of voters during the BSKE.

NOLCOM led a joint peace and security coordinating committee meeting on safety and security concerns for the BSKE at Camp Aquino. –  Miriam Desacada, Ric Sapnu