ELECTION-WATCH AREA

LINGAYEN— Of the four provinces in Region 1, Pangasinan is the only province considered as an election watch area by the Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) owing to the noted intense rivalries between families and supporters during the campaign period for the May 9 elections.

Police Regional Office 1 acting regional director Chief Superintendent Ericson pointed this out to newsmen during the 25th PNP Foundation Day Celebration at the Pangasinan Provincial Police Office (PPPO) last week.

He said among the four provinces in Region 1, there will be a special “focus” on Pangasinan since no intense rivalry is expected in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur because the gubernatorial candidates in the two provinces are unopposed.

In La Union, Velasquez said that although relatives are fighting for the gubernatorial position, he expects their blood relations to temper activities and emotions.

In Pangasinan, instances of bitter encounters between supporters of some former Fifth District Rep. Mark Cojuangco, son of business tycoon Danding Cojuangco, and Board Member Amado Espino III, son and namesake of the present governor.

Pangasinan gubernatorial bets and president of the Liga ng mga Barangay federation, are expected.

Velasquez said he does not foresee problems with the candidates themselves but with their respective supporters who may feel they have to be more aggressive to ensure their candidates’ victory.

Notwithstanding the expected intense rivalries, he pointed out that Pangasinan is not a “hotspot” but to be considered a ”watch area” he said it means it could become a “hotspot” depending on political events.

Meanwhile, PPPO officer-in-charge provincial director, Sr. Supt. Edgar Allan Okubo, said a plan to conduct a series of signing of peace covenants among political bets in the province is in the works. (Tita Roces/Johanne Macob)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments