By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Commission on Elections (Comelec) election supervisor, Atty. Jessie Suarez, yesterday affirmed the recent clash in Calatrava and the reported burning of equipment, allegedly conducted by the New People’s Army (NPA), in Kabankalan City were not related to the ongoing barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) election period.

The Comelec official said he met with Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) director, Police Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil, Jr., where it was concluded the Calatrava incident involved a lawless group engaged in suspected “gun-for-hire” activities; while the Kabankalan City incident is being considered extortion activities supposedly conducted by the rebel group.

During the meeting, Suarez said they also discussed NOPPO and military deployment details, adding the provincial Comelec office is nearly complete with its preparations for the May 14 polls.

As part of their deployment plans, NOPPO coordinated with the Philippine Army 303rd Infantry Brigade to secure the far-flung areas of Negros Occidental.

Police Regional Office-6, meanwhile, has deployed the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6 to augment NOPPO’s forces in securing the upcoming polls./DGB, WDJ