Yapha told: Hire private security

After receiving threat

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Police Office has recommended that former Pinamungajan mayor Geraldine Yapha, who is running for congresswoman in the Third District of Cebu, should hire private security personnel after receiving a death threat.

Police Senior Superintendent Royina Garma, director of CCPO, told reporters in a press conference yesterday that they will assess the threat.

"I advised her to report all threats that she receives and we will investigate. I advised her to avail the services of a private security agency," Garma said.

Garma said they can provide area security, which is not exclusive to one person only.

She reiterated policy of the Department of Interior and Local Government that poll bets are only allowed two uniformed security escorts.

Yapha reported to the Cebu Provincial Police Office last Wednesday after her driver, Rex Zamora, found a piece of paper enclosed with two live bullets in the trunk of her pickup car.

Indicated in the paper was "Withdraw or due, two bullets- one for you and one for driver."

It was Senior Superintendent Manuel Abrugena who suggested to Yapha to file the report with CCPO as the threat was received in their residence in Barangay Labangon, which falls under the jurisdiction of CCPO.

Yapha talked to reporters following her meeting with Garma and said that Punta Police Station will handle the investigation.

Yapha reiterated that the threat must be related to politics but she did not reveal names.

Yapha said she will request the Commission on Elections to address the threat.

"Dili lang sad ni akoa ra, it is also a concern of the third district. Ato iconsider na if it is happening to me, posible ni mahitabo sa uban pud," Yapha said. (This does not only concern me but the whole district as well. We have to consider that if this happened to me, this might also happen to other candidates. (FREEMAN)