LAOAG CITY—Around 100 personnel from the Philippine Army were deployed in various strategic locations of the province to beef up security on May 14, election day.
Police Chief Inspector Dexter Diovic Corpuz, Chief Provincial Information Officer of the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (INPPO) confirmed this on Monday as personnel from the INPPO and several augmentation troops from the Philippine Army and Police Regional Office were deployed in Ilocos Norte to ensure the peaceful conduct of the synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.
Though the Comelec Provincial Office has not declared any election hot spot among the 21 towns and two cities of Ilocos Norte, the Philippine National Police has identified at least five municipalities under election areas of concern, which include the towns of Marcos, Laoag, Pasuquin, Badoc and Bacarra in view of the presence of intense political rivalry and alleged proliferation of loose firearms.
On Saturday evening, a commotion was reported in Barangay Buyon, Bacarra town due to alleged harassment from supporters of rival candidates for barangay captain. This, however, was pacified upon the quick intervention of the PNP, which immediately called them to a dialogue. (Leilanie Adriano/PNA)
