By Mar Gabriel
Eagle News Service
The police in Region 5 have asked the Commission on Elections to place the province of Masbate under the poll body’s control.
Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, Philippine National Police spokesperson, said this was amid the intense rivalry between political candidates in the area.
The Sangguniang Kabataan and barangay elections are slated in May.
“(All elements) are present: Intense rivalry, firearms..existence of crime groups, a history of violence..,” Bulalacao said.
So far, based on PNP records, during the election period, from April 14 to April 25, the police have arrested 546 individuals for a variety of supposed violations nationwide.
Of the 546, the PNP said 46 were arrested in checkpoints, 270 during patrol operations, 102 during the application of search warrants, 65 during buy-bust operations, four during armed encounters,15 during Oplan Sita operations, 16 during Oplan Galugad operations and 10 during Oplan Bakal operations.
Eighteen, PNP records showed, were nabbed by virtue of warrants of arrest.
Based on the national election monitoring and action center, 403 firearms and 2712 other deadly weapons have been confiscated.
The PNP has also recorded seven election-related incidents involving some barangay officials so far.
