By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Two were reported dead in seven suspected election-related incidents (ERIs) ahead of the May 12 polls, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday.
In a press conference held at Camp Crame, PNP concurrent spokesperson and Central Luzon police chief (Police Regional Office 3) Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the incidents include four in Western Visayas and one each in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley and Soccsksargen.
She said the suspected ERIs in Soccsksargen and Ilocos Region on Jan. 18 and 25, respectively, killing an incumbent municipal councilor and a staunch supporter of a candidate for municipal councilor.
In Western Visayas, the ERIs include a vehicular accident involving an incumbent mayor, she added.
Fajardo said PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has directed local investigators to immediately validate whether these can be considered as poll-related.
“The commanders need not wait for 10 days to come up with a findings and recommendation whether these incidents can be listed as ERIs or not,” she said.
An incident is being classified as suspected ERIs if it happens within the election period from Jan. 12 to June 11, and if it involves political candidates or their families or relatives and close supporters.
Meanwhile, PNP public information office chief Col. Randulf Tuaño said their latest data showed that the number of gun ban violators so far reached 379 while 383 firearms were confiscated by the police.
He said most of the arrested were civilians while others were security guards, members of law enforcement agencies, and an appointed government official.
Comelec Resolution No. 11067 provides that only those carrying a certificate of authority will be permitted to carry guns outside their residence or places of business during the ban, as granted by its Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns.
The PNP is running Comelec checkpoints to enforce the gun ban during the election period which, according to Comelec Resolution No. 10999, is from Jan. 12 to June 11.
The 90-day campaign period for senators and party-list representatives will be on Feb. 11 until May 10. Local candidates will be allowed to campaign from March 28 to May 10. (PNA)
