Voter dies of heat stroke, cop suffers heart attack

MANILA, Philippines — A man died of heat stroke after voting in La Union yesterday while a police officer deployed for election duties suffered a heart attack in Batangas City on Sunday.

Anacleto Manzano, a senior citizen, had just cast his vote at around 11 a.m. when he collapsed while resting under a tree in Barangay Santiago, Bauang, La Union, according to barangay chairman Clarito Tangalin.

Prior to the incident, the victim was heard complaining about the warm weather, saying he might suffer a stroke. 

“He was given priority (to vote) because he is a senior citizen. However, when he was going home he... collapsed. Rescuers rushed him to the hospital but he was declared dead on arrival,” Tangalin said. 

Meanwhile, S/Sgt. Ramil Dagle, 36, was securing election paraphernalia at a public school in Barangay Sorosoro Karsada when he felt dizzy and asked his superior to be allowed to rest, Batangas police director Col. Edwin Quilates said.

Quilates said Dagle reportedly collapsed at his home at around 9 p.m. and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Jesus of Nazareth Hospital.

In Aringay, La Union, a poll watcher was wounded in a gun attack while distributing snacks to fellow watchers yesterday.

The victim, Romeo Balanag, was reportedly a watcher of congressional candidate Dante Garcia.

The suspect, Joey Baluro, a native of Dolores, Abra, was arrested.Also in La Union, an armored personnel carrier was deployed to secure Balaoan amid reports of shootings, harassment and vote buying. – Emmanuel Tupas