Cagayan Valley execs set drive against vote-buying

By Liezle Basa Inigo

CAMP Marcelo A. Adduru, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan – The Police Regional Office-2, with the Commission on Elections and other government agencies, hosted the Regional Joint Security Control Center meeting and launched the Regional Committee on Kontra Bigay (vote-buying) at the PRO-2 Conference Hall in this camp on Wednesday, Sept. 27. 
    Police Brig. Gen. Christopher C. Birung, PRO-2 director, through the Regional Intelligence Division, presented update on election areas of concern in Region 2 or Cagayan Valley. 
    Birung reported that 45 and 16 barangays fall under the orange and yellow categories, respectively.
Despite this, he said, the region was generally assessed to be peaceful.    
    Myrtle V. Marayah, Election Officer III of Naguilian, Isabela, discussed premature campaigning and reminded candidates to campaign only during the campaign period from October 19 to 28.
    Comelec Regional Election Officer Ederlino Tabilas noted that automated elections helped reduced cheating. "Allegations of cheating and fraud in the election were reduced in 2010, during the introduction of automated elections."