Crimes down on election day

CEBU, Philippines — Crime in Central Visayas is down by "17 percent" during the conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) last Monday.

This was the assessment divulged by Police Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, Police Regional Office-7 spokesperson, who said the Oct. 30 political exercise was the "safest and the most secure electoral process in recent times."

“Record will show that, in fact, there is a 17-percent decrease in crimes the entire election period,” he said, adding that the recent elections were the "most decent and mature" that they have observed.

This was made possible, Pelare said, by the cooperation of government agencies, particularly the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Education, and the Commission on Elections.

In particular, he applauded the service and sacrifice the teachers made just to help make the elections a success.

In Cebu City, north district Election Officer Marchel Sarno said the elections were generally peaceful. He said that although they received reports on altercations during the canvassing in a few barangays like Bulacao, Mabolo, and Mambaling, they were "manageable."

"Wa gyuy giingon naay violence or nagsumbagay. Lalis-lalis ra gud then maghalog inig human," he said.

As to the proclamation of winners, only barangays Camputhaw, Lahug, and Tejero remain, as of 5 p.m. yesterday.

"Instead of ang election returns didto sa board of canvassers, gisud sa ballot box, so amo pang i-retrieve ang ballot box," Sarno said as to the cause of the delay.

Also, Sarno clarified that voter turnout for the pilot testing of mall voting in Cebu City was at least 70 percent, not 50 percent.

"Dili na tinuod (nga 50 percent).  Dako-dako sad ang turnout. Mga 70 (percent) siguro or 80 (percent)," said Sarno.

He said, though, that the long weekend may have contributed to why not all showed up to cast their votes.

The mall voting was done at Robinsons Galleria, where five clustered precincts of Baranga Parian were assigned as where residents could cast their votes.

"Probably. One of the factors ani atong kuan (long weekend). But as to the naapektaran gyud or dako ang epekto, di man ing-ana," Sarno said. — (FREEMAN)