Abra bets, teachers back out from BSKE

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — At least 122 candidates in the Oct. 30 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) in Abra have withdrawn from the polls.

Most of the candidates are from Bucay town, who reportedly cited ”pressure” from their rivals.

This developed as 44 teachers in the province begged off from serving in the polls as they raised concern over their safety following a shootout between members of a suspected private armed group and policemen in Bucay on Monday. One of the suspects was killed.

Thirteen of the teachers are supposed to serve in the BSKE in Bucay, 14 in Pilar, three in Lagayan, six in Lagangilang and eight in Bangued.

Provincial election supervisor Richelle Belmes said the situation in Abra is generally peaceful despite reports of harassment and intimidation of candidates and their supporters in parts of Bucay, Pilar and Bangued.

Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. David Peredo said it has yet to be determined if Bucay and other towns in Abra would be placed under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Peredo said he ordered increased police visibility, including at Comelec offices, in Bangued and Bucay.

The Comelec said it trained 41 policemen who will serve as members of the board of election inspectors in Abra.

Thirty-three other policemen will undergo training as poll workers.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia had earlier said police would be deployed for poll duties, if the need arises.

Explain poll violations

Meanwhile, in Negros Occidental, the Comelec isssued show-cause orders to 18 other candidates for various election violations.

Provincial Comelec supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria said summonses were issued to five candidates for alleged vote buying.

As of Oct. 12, 125 candidates in Negros Occidental have been issued show-cause orders.

The Comelec activated its Committee on Kontra Bigay in various towns and cities in the province amid complaints of vote buying.

EB Magalona town has the highest number of candidates issued show-cause orders at 56.

In Calabarzon, 222 people were arrested for violating the election gun ban.

Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas, acting regional police director, said 151 unlicensed guns and two replicas were seized at various checkpoints while 249 others were deposited for safekeeping by their owners.

In Nueva Ecija, police said 113 guns were confiscated since the start of the election period on Aug. 28.

Sixty-eight unlicensed guns were turned over by their owners as part of the Balik-Baril program of the Philippine National Police.

Col. Relly Arnedo, Bulacan police director said a restobar customer, whom he did not identify, was arrested in Bocaue town on Friday after he took out a gun and placed it on the table. — Gilbert Bayoran, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Ed Amoroso