Garcia supporters "harassed" anew

CEBU, Philippines - Another group of supporters of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and vice-gubernatorial candidate Glenn Soco were reportedly harassed by unidentified men in Dumanjug town early yesterday morning.

SPO1 Raymundo Sala, desk officer of the Dumanjug police, said the group of Jenmark Singidas, 20, had just finished putting up posters in Dumanjug and was heading towards Ronda town on board a Nissan pick-up truck when they were waylaid by motorcycle-riding men past 6am. Seconds later, they heard a burst of gunshots.

Sala said the suspects reportedly fired towards the ground and Singidas’ group reportedly tried to evade the bullets by driving in a zigzag. 

Sala said that based on Singidas’ account, each of the four motorcycles had two men on board. The suspects reportedly followed Singida’s group and did not let go until they reached Ronda.

Sala said investigation is ongoing to determine the identity of the suspects and to determine further if the incident was election-related.

Last week, three unidentified men on board a motorcycle also shot at the vehicle of Garcia’s supporters in Tulic, Argao. No one was hurt in the incident.

Chief Insp. Teodulfo Manatad, chief of police of Argao town, said that like the group of Singida, the group of Oliver Garcia, Frederic Banagbanag and Jay Raymund Piñero had just finished putting up posters in Argao when the suspects arrived and fired at their vehicle.

Piñero himself evaded the bullets by jumping into the water. The three were resting by the beach at that time. The suspects immediately left after firing the shots.

Manatad said they still could not conclude that the incident was politically- motivated.

Provincial Police Director Sr. Supt. Erson Digal has directed his men to fast track the investigation, but said there is no plan to augment security in the area. (FREEMAN NEWS)