By LITO RULONA
Correspondent
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has placed three municipalities in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur under its control because of threats of political violence.
Carlito Ravelo, Lanao elections officer, identified the municipalities as Kauswagan in Lanao del Norte, and Lunongan and Pantar in Lanao del Sur.
In these towns, the political rivalries are intense and there are armed groups, he said.
Ravelo said in the case of Pantar, Comelec said there was virtually no local government to speak of because armed men were occupying the town hall.
“The former mayor refuses to step down because he is still recognized by the Sangguniang Bayan. The mayor recognized by the Department of Interior and Local Government failed to assume office,” he said.
He said Comelec also found no town government employee reporting for work because of the armed men, and department heads were declared absent without leave by the town legislature. “In paper, nay mga tawo o empleyado but in reality, wala.”
“Both groups are also perceived to be heavily armed. Ang military karon naa sa tunga. No man’s land ang area. Ingon ani ka critical,” Ravelo said.
He said there is a possibility that there would be a failure of elections in the town, and so, police officers and soldiers would man the polling precincts in these areas in May.
Ravelo said that in the case of Lunongan and Kauswagan, the Comelec also confirmed that armed men pose threats to the elections.
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