PNP says Aklan polls was peaceful
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - The Philippine National Police (PNP) declared that the first-ever automated elections last Monday was peaceful across the province of Aklan.
Aklan police provincial director Senior Superintendent Epifanio Bragais, Jr. said there were no major incidents reported except for election-related incidents from May 9 to 10.
The stabbing incident of Lezo Sangguniang Bayan member Conrado Arsenio in Barangay Ibao, the arrest of Richard Reyes of Culasi, Antique for violation of gun ban in Barangay Aquino, Ibajay, Aklan and the killing of Capataga barangay captain Efren Fernando in Barangay Bulabod, Malinao, Aklan were the three election-related incidents cited by the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO).
"The peace and order situation in the province was generally peaceful during the May 10 automated polls," Bragais said.

Close to 500 policemen and soldiers were deployed to secure the polls in 492 clustered precincts in 327 barangays thoroughout the province. Captain Ricardo Villaruel of the 12th Infantry Battalion based on Camp Felix Jizmundo in Banga, Aklan said the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were on full alert as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) implemented the automated polling system for the synchronized local and national elections.

The poll body extended the voting hours from 7 a.m to 7 p.m. to accommodate the long queues of registered voters waiting for their turn to vote using the electronic voting machines of Smartmatic-TIM.

Despite for minor automation glitches of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines and violence, the Comelec has ensured the fair and orderly elections and the peaceful canvassing of votes.