FORMER Mangaldan town mayor Bona Parayno’s wish to place her town under election watchlist was downplayed by the police — as no prior reelection-related incidents have occurred yet, according to authorities.

P/Colonel Richmond Tadina, provincial director of the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO), said placing Mangaldan on election watchlist anytime soon has no basis as there are factors to be considered.

It will be recalled that the PNP earlier issued a classification system as basis for putting LGUs in their 3-category watchlist.

The system classifies towns/cities under Category 3 that had incidents of election-related violence involving officials vying for elected posts. The PNP considered incidents that took place as far back as the filing of certificates of candidacy in October.

Falling under Category 2 are areas that saw “serious armed threats” from “organized threat groups” while Category 1 are places that had incidences due to intense political rivalries.

In the case of Mangaldan, Tadina noted that there were no election-related incident in the town.

While PPPO received alleged reports of armed groups in the province, Tadina said these are still subject to further validation and verification with the AFP and PNP intelligence committee.

Once a town or city is placed under watchlist, Tadina assured that augmentation from PMFC will assist in maintaining peace and order in the area.

Parayno aired her concern about need to have Mangaldan placed on election watchlist during her press conference two weeks ago, due to rising tensions between her and the Lambinos on account of the rape complaint filed against him.

Lambino accused Parayno of plotting the filling of the rape complaint. (Ahikam Pasion)

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