PNP: Violent incidents in Oct 25 polls climb to 78

It might be too early to say that the 2010 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections were more peaceful than in 2007 as the number of violent incidents in this year's polls climbed up to 78. This was according to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Raul Bacalzo, who was quoted in a radio dzBB report on Tuesday. Out of the 78 election-related violent incidents (ERVIs), six incidents involved deaths while seven involved people getting hurt. Of the six ERVIs with fatalities this year, three happened in the southern Philippine province of Maguindanao; one in Ilocos Norte; one in Gapan City, Nueva Ecija; and one in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. The PNP chief said it was not unlikely that the figures could still go up in the next few days due to "post-election ERVIs," as canvassing for the two polls remained "critical." On Monday, Bacalzo had already stressed that while figures continued to climb, this year's barangay and SK polls are still considered to have been "generally peaceful." The fatality in the shooting incident in Cebu was identified as Demetrio Sumalpong Jr, a supporter of Punta Engaño barangay captain Angel Rodriguez. A policeman was also hurt in the attack. Authorities were quoted in a GMA Unang Balita report as saying that Sumalpong might have been assaulted by supporters of Rodriguez's political rivals for allegedly selling his vote. Rodriguez denied the accusation. Let's sit on it Meanwhile, tension gripped elections in Tugaya town, Lanao del Sur when a group of armed men fired shots near an election precinct before scurrying away. Military and police personnel gave chase and later apprehended the suspects in the shooting, confiscating a .45 caliber pistol from one of them. The incident forced policemen and soldiers to watch over the ballot boxes, with some of them sitting on the boxes to prevent anyone from snatching them. In neighboring Maguindanao province, government forces also rushed to protect ballot boxes at a precinct in Datu Salibo town and transfer them to a safer place, after unidentified men opend fire in the area at about 10:00 a.m. on Monday. "Nagsimula ang putukan. Six rounds ang pinutok na M203 rounds, tapos ibang high-powered firearms (The shooting started. They fired six rounds of M203 and other high-powered firearms)" said 1st Lt. Allan Guibone commanding officer of the 29th Infantry Battalion's Alpha Company. Elections resumed in the area but were still marred by intermittent shooting until 2:00 p.m., forcing election officers to hold the canvassing inside the municipal hall, away from the school precincts. –VVP, GMANews.TV