PNP looking into massive withdrawal of candidacies in Abra

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is checking the sudden increase of candidates in Abra who backed out from the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE).

“With or without iyong reklamo, with that number it is alarming already so pinapaimbestigahan na natin (we are having it investigated),” PNP chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. said in a press briefing.

PNP deputy chief for administration Police Lieutenant General Rhodel Sermonia said some politicians in Abra came to the national headquarters and reported that there were over 250 withdrawal of candidacies.

He said among the possible reasons was the threat against the candidates.

He said the PNP may give assistance by investigating “incidents” that already happened and deploy more police personnel.

On October 18, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it received an initial report that a candidate for the BSKE in Bucay, Abra was shot dead.

Comelec chairperson Erwin Garcia said the victim was running for barangay councilor and that they received the information from their local office in Abra.

"Yang development na 'yan is, of course, a concern on the part of the Commission on Elections dahil kung medyo may nangyaring insidente na nagbuwis ng buhay ang isang kandidatong kagawad, although initial na report lamang sa atin ng ating provincial election supervisor, then napakaserious concern na 'yan," he said, without identifying the victim.

(That development is, of course, a concern on the part of the Comelec because a candidate was killed, although this is only based on an initial report from our provincial election supervisor. This is a serious concern.)

Garcia said the poll body has been receiving reports on election-related problems in Abra, particularly in Bucay.

The Comelec earlier said that 122 candidates in Abra have backed out of the BSKE.

"Talagang umaayaw. Kung tinatakot o hindi, wala po kasing ebidensiya so far. And therefore, nakikipag-coordinate tayo sa DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) at saka sa Philippine National Police," he said.

(They just withdrew. Whether out of fear or not, we have no evidence so far. Therefore we are coordinating with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police.)

He also said that several teachers have backed out from serving as Electoral Board members but he quickly added that it was not due to threats of violence.

"'Yung mga teachers talaga, ang pag-atras po kasi ay dahil sila ay related doon sa mismong mga kandidato sa mismong barangay. And therefore, wala naman po 'yung sinasabing threat o violence against their person," Garcia said.—AOL, GMA Integrated News