Cebu Poll Exec Sees Peaceful May 9 Elections

A Commission on Elections (Comelec) official in Cebu has said he expects a peaceful election in the province on May 9.

Lawyer Eliseo Labaria, Cebu Provincial Election Supervisor, said the only Election Watchlist Areas (Ewas) or hotly contested areas in Cebu are Bogo City and the towns of Daanbantayan, Medellin, Carmen, Tuburan and San Fernando.

But Supt. Arnel Banzon of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) said being included in the EWAS does not mean there will surely be trouble in these places.

”This is only a presumption based on what happened in the previous elections,” Banzon said.

Labaria conducted a pre-final briefing for volunteers and police on Saturday in the Cebu Archbishop’s Palace on D. Jakosalem St., Cebu City.

The volunteers are with the Cebu Citizens’ Involvement and Maturation for People Empowerment and Liberation (C-Cimpel), a church-organized group that has monitored elections in Cebu for more than 20 years.

Labaria also said that Comelec expects C-Cimpel, the police and representatives of political parties to attend the final briefing on May 4.

Labaria said all the necessary security measures are in place for the coming elections.

Banzon said the Philippine National Police will deploy 4,801 policemen in Region 7, including 825 in Cebu City and 1,444 in Cebu Province.

Banzon said the Armed Forces of the Philippines will also deploy 1,075 soldiers in Region 7 on election day, including 81 in Cebu City and 388 in Cebu Province. (PNA) SCS/EB/PJN