Only two violent cases election-related in region

By Francis Allan Angelo

ONLY two of the five shooting incidents that happened during the barangay and SK elections Monday can be considered as politically-motivated.

Records from the Police Regional Office (PRO-6) showed that five major incidents happened in the region before and during the elections.

The shooting happened in Brgys. Datagan, Calinog; Igtubay and Cabatangan in Lambunao and Tabuan, Estancia in Iloilo; and Tabuc, Pontevedra, Capiz.

PRO-6 Director Cipriano Querol said the incidents in Estancia, Iloilo and Pontevedra, Capiz were the only election-related violent cases.

The remaining incidents were caused by drunkenness and old grudges, Querol said.

The shooting incident in Brgy. Tabuc, Pontevedra wounded Nick Estopia, 27, of Brgy. Ilas Norte, Dao, Capiz, believed to be a supporter of Punong Barangay Baltazar “Angke” Belvis of Tabuc.

The incident happened 6am Monday while Estopia and Belvis were onboard a banca.

Citing the spent shells recovered from the crime scene, the police said the suspects may have used caliber .45 pistol and M16 Armalite rifle in ambushing the victims.

In Estancia, Iloilo, Riza Cartagena, who is running for punong barangay of Tabu-an, allegedly fired first at the house of his cousin, incumbent Punong Barangay Randy Ramirez.

Ramirez’s retaliated at the suspects onboard two motorcycles.