By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Following the recent murder of Moises Padilla Municipal Councilor Jolomar Hilario, along with earlier clashes between government forces and the New People’s Army (NPA), Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is proposing the town be placed under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

He believes, if the Comelec takes control of the municipality, locals could freely exercise their right to vote and candidates could also freely campaign.

“What is happening in the town right now is something that we don’t want to happen in other localities,” Lacson pointed out.

The local Comelec earlier declared Moises Padilla an “election hotspot.”

Provincial Election Supervisor Tictac Villanueva said the intense political rivalry in Moises Padilla and the presence of armed groups were among the factors considered in declaring the town a “hotspot.”

She explained, while there will be no Comelec takeover of Moises Padilla, an augmentation of forces will be deployed to the area./DGB, WDJ