As killings rock Masbate ahead of the May 2016 elections, the Philippine National Police has decided to dispatch a company of Special Action Force in Masbate amid the increasing tensions in the province brought about by persistent harassment by Private Armed Groups and criminal elements among the civilian populace.
PNP Chief Ricardo Marquez said the sending of SAF personnel in Masbate aims to quell persistent stalking of PAGs and criminal syndicates among civilians which so far resulted to the killing of three persons, including two village officials in Jacinto town in Ticao island last month.
“We have deployed a regional special operations task group in Masbate to address the concerns of the residents there,” Marquez said.
Among those killed in the recent violence taking place in Masbate were identified village officials barangay captain Rey Ecabo, his councilman Robert Almodiel and 16-year-old Jay Almoradiel.
The killing took place inside the residence of Ecabo in Barangay Bartolabac on Feb. 4.
In view of the disturbing security situation, Marquez flew to Masbate on Sunday to personally assess the present security situation in preparation for the upcoming elections.
Marquez’s deployment of additional police forces in Masbate came due to numerous complaints by residents being harassed by armed groups.
“The residents want additional policemen in their communities because they are being harassed,” Marquez said.
Three influential politicians are slugging it out for the gubernatorial post and has been declared by the Commission on Elections as hotspot.
“We have a good preparation there. The PNP and the AFP have synergized their efforts, although we really have challenges there,” Marquez said attributing the peace and order mess to the existence of PAGs.
The deployment of a company of commandos should beef up the law enforcement operations and other election-related security efforts being undertaken by members of the Regional Special Operations Task Group.
Marquez also challenged Masbate “to perform better during election time” by ensuring it would have peaceful and orderly elections, days after the arrest of a gun for hire suspect last Friday.