Elected govt officials usual casualties in polls

MANILA, Philippines – “Hot” local races often lead to more casualties among elected government officials (EGOs) than civilians or the country’s security forces. 

Sr. Supt. Noel Baraceros, deputy chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Public Information Office, told Rappler on Saturday, May 11, that this is usual during elections in the Philippines. He said that even in national elections, there are more EGO fatalities.

The data from the PNP showed that as of Wednesday, May 8, 32 EGOs were among those killed since January 13. This is more than 70% of the 44 killed since the election period began. 

“Kahit national (elections marami). Mas mainit talaga ang local elections. Kung minsan yung mga supporters (din) nila (nadadamay),” Baraceros said. 

Baraceros said that EGOs include re-electionists, while the number of candidates that they tally only include those that are running but do not yet hold any elective positions. As of May 8, only 1 candidate has been killed in election-related violence in the 2013 polls.

Arrests

Data from the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) showed that PNP has arrested a total of 3,079 persons for violating the gun ban and other laws. 

Most of the arrested individuals were civilians (2,843) followed by security guards (130), government officials (42), police (40), and military personnel (24). 

Data showed that the most arrests, 553, were made in the National Capital Region (NCR) by the NCR Region Police Office (NCRPO), followed by Region IV-A (Calabarzon) with 434, and Region III (Central Luzon), 403. 

More than 100 arrests were also made in the following regions:

• Region VI or Western Visayas – 213
• Region V or Bicol – 178
• Region X or Northern Mindanao – 172
• Region I or Ilocos – 165
• Region XI or Davao – 150
• Region VII or Central Visayas – 142
• Region VIII or Eastern Visayas – 129

The most number of civilians were arrested in NCR at 513, followed by Calabarzon, 404, Central Luzon, 373. The most number of security guard arrests was made in NCR, 25; Calabarzon, 20; and Western Visayas, 18. 

Firearms confiscated

Some 3,011 firearms were also confiscated by the PNP between January 13 and May 8. The most firearms confiscated by the PNP were in Central Luzon where 456 firearms were confiscated. 

Over 200 firearms were confiscated in the following regions:

• Calabarzon – 376
• NCR – 293
• Northern Mindanao – 291
• Western Visayas – 242
• Central Visayas – 201

The PNP said that most of the gunban violators were arrested in 297,006 checkpoint operations and 307 search warrants operations conducted nationwide by PNP units.

A total of 117 members of partisan armed groups were neutralized with the arrest of 74 suspects, surrender of 37 others and 6 slain in encounters with lawmen.

“To preclude possible activities of criminal gangs and threat groups the PNP is beefing up the normal security measures in vital installations such as power generation plants, mass transportation, telecommunication infrastructure, and places of heavy public convergence,” the PNP said. – Rappler.com

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