Soldiers to aid in brgy, SK polls in Olotayan

BY FELIPE V. CELINO

ROXAS City – About nine members of the Philippine Army’s 47th Infantry Battalion (47IB) will assist in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in Brgy. Olotayan today.

Supt. Kashmir Disomangcop, Roxas City police chief, said the soldiers and personnel from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) were deployed to the island barangay yesterday morning.

Disomangcop said although there was no reported election-related violence in the area, he merely wanted to ensure the safety of the election.

A close race for barangay captain in Brgy. Olotayan is seen between incumbent Manuel Aninang and former village chief Anita Alimosurin.

Brgy. Olotayan can be reached by about 20 minutes by boat ride from the city proper.

On the other hand, Disomangcop said 56 police officers will also be deployed to 39 polling centers here.

Roxas City Election Officer Jomar Elyzer Betita earlier placed Barangays Punta Tabuc, Libas and Culasi here under “areas of concern” due to reported intense political rivalry.

Last week, Disomangcop called the three barangays’ candidates for barangay captain to sign a peace covenant.

The candidates signed the agreement at the Roxas City Police Station in the presence of Betita and the media.

In Brgy. Punta Tabuc, three are running for barangay captain — incumbent Romeo de Felipe, former Barangay Captain Rene Barrios and Roberto Layson.

De Felipe reportedly belongs to Ugyon Kita Capiz (UKC).

In Brgy. Libas, incumbent Soloman Alisasis and Richard Arrojado will contend for the barangay captain post.

To compete for the barangay captain post in Brgy. Culasi are incumbent Walter Anisco and Mark Anthony Almalbis.

Meanwhile, five candidates for barangay captain in this city will run unopposed.

They are Lucille dela Cruz of Brgy. IV, Virgilio Santos Jr. of Brgy. Talon, Linda Ignacio of Brgy. Tanza, Olivia Escolin of Brgy. Punta Cogon and John Paul Arcenas of Brgy. Gabuan./PN

 

‘Concerted effort’ vs drugs proposed

BY FELIPE V. CELINO

ROXAS City – Local government and police officials in Capiz are proposing a “concerted effort” to fight the proliferation of illegal drugs here, according to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 6 (PDEA-6) Director Paul Ledesma.

Ledesma said he already talked with Gov. Victor Tanco and Mayor Angel Alan Celino regarding the plan, which will need the support of the community.

The recaptured top illegal drug personality Sulpicio “Sulping” Marcelino proves that the problem on illegal drugs in the province is serious, Ledesma said.

Ledesma called Marcelino a “high-risk detainee.”

Marcelino, who is facing three illegal drug-related cases, was recaptured in Montalban, Rizal last week.

He escaped from the Capiz Rehabilitation Center last month.

Ledesma revealed that a few years ago, the PDEA pulled out its agents in Capiz for being outnumbered by drug suspects.

He also urged the local media to do their share in the fight against illegal drugs.

The fight against the (illegal drug) menace does not only involve the PDEA and the police, but also the community, Ledesma stressed.

He said a politician and a moneylender were behind the proliferation of illegal drugs in Capiz.

Ledesma, however, refused to identify the suspects so as not to jeopardize the PDEA’s operations./PN