TABUK CITY,
Kalinga – Gov. Jocel Baac on Friday urged the Philippine National Police
to reconsider this city’s listing as an "election hotspot".
“That is a
sad evaluation on our part. He (PNP Chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde)
should have assessed that very well before making the declaration,” Baac said.
While noting
that he was unaware of the basis for the PNP's move, the governor said he
learned about it from people who heard the news over the radio.
On Tuesday,
the PNP identified 701 areas classified as election hotspots.
“Very
peaceful kaya ang Tabuk (Tabuk is a very peaceful place). It is one
of the most peaceful, even in our politics. It is not contested as compared to
Abra and other areas,” Baac said, adding that he was surprised at Tabuk's
inclusion on the list.
On Monday,
the Cordillera’s joint security council officials, headed by the Commission on
Elections (Comelec), told media after their meeting that they hope to have the
list of election hotspots by next week as the PNP and the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) are still validating the situation in the region’s provinces.
However, a
day after the council meeting, the leadership of the PNP announced the
inclusion of Tabuk City.
Baac said he
will write the police to inquire and correct the impression that Tabuk is a
problematic area, if necessary.
“We hope that
the management of the police would correct (it),” he said.
Baac's
sentiments were echoed by Kalinga’s lone district representative, Allen Jesse
Mangaoang.
“Nagulat
kami. Tinawagan pa nga ako ni Congressman (Joseph Santo Niño)
Bernos ng Abra. Bakit daw kasama ang Tabuk at nagbiro
na wala nga raw sila sa listahan (We were surprised. Abra Congressman
Bernos even called me to ask why Tabuk was included on the list of election
hotspots. He even joked that their area is not on the list),” Mangaoang said.
For the past
election years, Abra has been included on the Comelec’s list of areas of
concern due to its history of political violence.
Kalinga,
especially Tabuk City, had been holding elections peacefully for several
elections already. (PNA)
No.
6, 3 cols
No comments:
Post a Comment