Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Director P/Col. Alexander Tagum and Philippine National Police in Davao Region (PNP-11) P/Brig. Gen. Marcelo Morales announce that the conduct of the midterm elections in the region was generally peaceful in a press conference at Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School (DRANHS) on Monday, May 13, 2019. (Kath M. Cortez/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The conduct of the election in Davao Region was in general orderly and peaceful.
“It’s generally peaceful. There is no untoward incidents that happened or received,” P/Brig. Gen. Marcelo Morales, regional director of the Philippine National Police in Davao Region (PNP-11) said.
Morales told reporters that they received reports of alleged vote-buying but when checked, “the report is not true.”
He added they are still investigating the reported vote-buying incident in Bansalan, Davao del Sur.
Authorities also flagged down a vehicle loaded with several weapons in Sulop, Davao del Sur, Morales reported.
He said police recorded one election-related killing in New Corella, Davao del Norte where the victim was the brother of the incumbent mayor, identified as Rogelio Serrano Jr., 44, the administrative aide of the place.
Morales said PNP personnel were stationed in various polling precincts in the area for the safety and security of the thousands of voters who went out and caster their votes.
Authorities have tightened the security in the region after four explosions rocked Cotabato City and Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao on Election Day.
Morales said the PNP has augmented its personnel in the provinces of Davao del Sur and Davao del Norte, the areas the Commission on Elections (Comelec) declared as hot spots.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has also conducted massive security operations in the hinterlands of Davao Region, he added.
Meanwhile, in Davao City, P/Col. Alexander Tagum, the director of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) said the conduct of elections in 52 barangays previously declared under code orange were generally peaceful.
These 52 barangays are part of the districts of Paquibato, Marilog, Baguio, and some parts of Calinan and Buhangin.
“No report received indicating problem particularly in the identified 52 areas under the orange group,” Tagum said. (davaotoday.com)
