INDISCRIMINATE FIRING
Mayor wants Buruanga declared a poll ‘hotspot’
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

MOTORCYCLES recovered by the Buruanga PNP after the indiscriminate firing incident in Brgy. El Progreso, Buruanga, Aklan (ACMagno)

BURUANGA, Aklan – “Graduating” Mayor Concepcion “Inday” Labindao (Kampi) wants her town declared an election hot spot by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) following a series of gunshots Tuesday night.
Buruanga is about 80 kilometers north of the capital town of Kalibo.
The three-termer Labindao said she is also asking the Philippine National Police (PNP) and acting police director Senior Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. to closely monitor what she said were a series of indiscriminate firing involving armed groups.
Tuesday night around 9:15 p.m., a series of gunshots were heard near the makeshift headquarters of mayoral candidate Engr. Rolando Rojo (United Opposition-PDP Laban) at Brgy. El Progreso.
The incident was reported by El Progreso barangay captain Edison Prado to the local police. No one was injured, the police said.
Buruanga policemen recovered 15 empty shells of .9mm caliber pistol, a Nissan pick-up and five abandoned motorcycles without registration, PO3 Joselito Fernandez said.
The motorcycles were believed to belong to the supporters of the mayor’s husband, Engr. Quezon Labindao who is running for mayor.
On the other hand, the Nissan pick-up was traced to the camp of Rojo. The house of Vicente Prado near the United Opposition headquarters also bore three bullet holes.
Labindao denied their camp started the gun fires and accused Rojo’s camp instead.
“I pray that we could conduct the elections peacefully. We (should) respect the (outcome) of the May 14 elections,” Labindao added.
Reelectionist Vice Mayor Manuel Sualog also assured the public that “there would be no provocation on their part.”
Sunday evening, gunshots were also heard in Brgy. Cabugan. Gubernatorial candidate Vicky Ramos (Uno) said her barangay coordinator was wounded on the left palm. “This disheartening situation to our political leaders should be stop. We urge our supporters to stay calm and vigilant,” she stressed.
Opposition Sangguniang Panlalawigan candidate Rodson Mayor (Nacionalista) urged the public to be vigilant. “The indiscriminate firing is an election-related violent incident and the public should vigilantly campaign against loose firearms in Buruanga,” he added.
Mayor said there must be a thorough investigation on the incident. A Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team was sent by the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) to augment the Buruanga PNP and secure the residents in this town.