A candidate running for barangay councilor was shot dead in Masbate City after a confrontation between rival families for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) escalated.
According to Tina Panganiban-Perez's Monday report on "24 Oras," victim Juvy Pintor accompanied incumbent barangay Chairperson Joseph Martines when he confronted a family for allegedly beating his nephew in Barangay Maingaran.
The confrontation escalated and led to a shooting incident. Pintor, who tried to mediate in the altercation, died while Martines was wounded.
Martines' wife and the mother of the alleged gunman were rivals for a barangay chairperson post in the October 30 elections.
"Hindi inaasahan 'yun, sir. Napadaan lang 'yung grupo nila kasi nangampanya," said Masbate City Police Station Chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Neri said.
(It was unexpected. The group was just campaigning when they met.)
"Nagkataon na nandoon din si incumbent barangay captain. Eh 'di nag-usap, sa madaling sabi, initan kaagad ang usapan. Parang ganun. Kaya 'yung mga supporter dun mismong nag-suntukan. Komosyon, then 'yun na maya-maya may pumutok na," Neri added.
(The incumbent chairperson was there so they talked but it did not go well. It led to a commotion and their supporters got into an altercation.)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it would wait for the report of a board tasked to validate election-related violence to determine if it was connected to the BSKE.
Barangay Maingaran would be placed under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) following the tragic incident.
"Dahil nga sa pangyayari noong August kung saan may nagbuwis ng buhay na isang kandidatong barangay chairman at isang kagawad incumbent na isang linggo lang ang pagitan nang kanilang pagkamatay at dahil din sa presensya nung private armed groups," said Comelec Chairperson George Garcia.
(A similar incident in August saw an incumbent chairperson and councilor die. There was also the presence of private armed groups in the area.)
361 barangays under 'red category'
Meanwhile, the number of barangays placed under the "red" category went up to 361 as of October 21 — a jump from the 242 recorded on October 4.
Some of the barangays were in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
"We're coordinating with the AFP for the deployment of additional forces sa BARMM. Everything is ready," PNP Chief Police General Benjamin Acorda said.
The Comelec and the PNP signed an agreement allowing the poll body to access election-related data from the police ahead of the 2023 BSKE, the report added.
The BSKE would be held on October 30. — DVM, GMA Integrated News
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