By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency
MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, on Tuesday (Oct. 12) ordered the Police Regional Office (PRO) 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) to probe the shooting of an election officer in Isabela City, Basilan.
“Inatasan ko na ang RD (regional director) PRO9 na magsagawa ng malalimang imbestigasyon sa kasong ito upang mapanagot ang may kagagawan sa tangkang pagpatay sa election officer ng Maluso, Basilan. Kasabay sa aking utos ang pagbibigay ng proteksyon sa kanya (I have instructed RD PRO9 to conduct an in-depth investigation in this case to hold accountable the perpetrator of the attempted murder of the election officer of Maluso, Basilan. I also ordered to provide protection),” Eleazar said in a statement.
Reports said Aknam Hasim, election officer of Maluso, Basilan, was wounded in a gun attack in Calle Posporo, Barangay San Rafael at around 7:25 p.m. Monday (Oct. 11).
Results of an initial investigation showed Hasim was inside his vehicle with his wife when their car was repeatedly shot by unidentified gunmen. Hasim was immediately brought to a hospital and is now undergoing treatment.
Eleazar said the PNP will coordinate with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the protection of its officers and employees especially in areas with security problems and with a history of election-related violence.
“Makikipag-ugnayan din tayo sa liderato ng Comelec upang pag-usapan kung paano makakatulong ang inyong PNP sa seguridad ng mga opisyal ng Comelec lalo na sa mga probinsya na may history ng election violence (We will also work with the Comelec leadership to discuss how the PNP can help secure Comelec officials especially in provinces with a history of election violence),” he said. (PNA) – bny
