BSKE to proceed in fire-hit schools

MANILA, Philippines — The barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) in schools in Maguindanao del Norte and Lanao del Norte that have been hit by fires will go on as scheduled today, according to the Commission on Elections.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the two fire incidents in Maguindanao del Norte were confirmed as cases of arson.

These schools were the Ruminimbang Elementary School in Barira town and the Central Pilot Elementary School in Datu Odin Sinsuat.

“Investigation is ongoing on a fire incident in a school in Lanao del Norte. Faulty electrical connection is being eyed as the possible cause of the blaze,” Garcia said.

Citing police reports, Garcia said the arsonists in the Maguindanao incidents poured gasoline and set the buildings on fire.

Garcia said the areas hit by the fires would not be used as voting centers as there are other available rooms.

He said the elections in these areas would push through despite the incidents.

Garcia said no election materials were destroyed in the fire incidents.  

The Bangsamoro police has deployed 8,809 personnel to secure polling sites for the BSKE today.

The figure is on top of a thousand more officers deployed from nearby regions as well as National Capital Region as augmentation forces.

Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza, Bangsamoro police director, said the police’s poll security missions are coordinated with the Western Mindanao Command in Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

“All is well as far as our security preparations are concerned. We thanked the local government units, peace advocates and religious leaders for supporting our efforts,” Nobleza said.

Fake money seized in Capiz

Garcia said that authorities have recovered bundles of counterfeit money amounting to P669,000 from an abandoned vehicle in Roxas City, Capiz.

He said investigation is ongoing and several persons of interest were held in conncection with the incident.

Meanwhile, in Ilocos, a barangay chairman running for kagawad and his daughter were wounded in an attack in Santiago town on Saturday.

Ruben Elefante, 50, of Barangay Gabao, and his daughter Rubiemae suffered gunshot wounds in the face and wrist, respectively.

In Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), police officers were reminded not to engage in partisan politics during today’s poll exercises.

Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas, Calabarzon police director, said the regional police is prepared to secure the voters as well as the BSKE.

Up to 9,696 police officers were deployed in polling centers and other critical areas in the region, according to Lt. Col. Chitadel Gaoiran, spokesperson for the Calabarzon police.

In Negros Occidental, up to two million people are expected to participate in the electoral exercises. — John Unson, Artemio Dumlao, Jun Elias, Ed Amoroso, Gilbert Bayoran