Tension grips special poll in Compostela; b’gay chief fears for his life

COMPOSTELA VALLEY, Philippines  â€“ An 83-year-old village chief now fears for his life as tension gripped yesterday’s special election in four polling precincts in Barangay Gabi, Compostela town, Compostela Valley.

The tension stemmed from the hotly contested mayoral race between Adolfo Ang and Lema Bolo (Liberal Party), with Ang garnering 17,429 votes as against Bolo’s 17,335, or a margin of 94 votes. The results account for 98.21 percent of the total votes cast in Compostela town.

A special election had to be held in Barangay Gabi after the ballots intended for the village was switched with those of Baguio City.

The results of the special election in Barangay Gabi, which has 808 voters, would help determine who would finally be proclaimed mayor of Compostela.

Barangay Gabi chairman Fausto Libranza told The STAR that he had to tighten his security after unidentified men were seen passing by his house on the eve of yesterday’s special election.

Villagers even went to the extent of hiding the whereabouts of Libranza, who opted to cast his vote late yesterday afternoon. Local police and military units have provided security for the village chief.

Libranza admitted he was supporting Bolo, being the local LP candidate. 

“Why? Is it against the law if I campaign for Bolo? I will stand by my decision on who I will support,” Libranza said.

More than 2,000 supporters of Ang were seen gathered outside the Barangay Gabi Elementary School during yesterday’s special election. They claimed that they were not from the village and that they were there to show moral support for the voters.

Ang’s supporters also held a prayer vigil at the chapel in Barangay Gabi on the eve of the special election. They also reportedly went around the village, urging the residents to exercise their right of suffrage.

But Libranza expressed confidence that the joint military and police personnel deployed in his community would be able to address the peace and security problem brought about by yesterday’s special poll.