Gov. Petilla reports decline in violence
TACLOBAN CITY – Regional Director Arnel Agabe of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) assured that elections in Leyte’s third and fourth districts will be credible and orderly, despite recent violent incidents.
The assurance comes amid a declaration by DILG Secretary Junvic Remulla designating these districts as “areas of concern” due to a rise in violent incidents in recent weeks.
The most recent incident involved the fatal shooting of Barangay Mataloto chairman Mary Ann Orillo on October 24 as she was returning home.
The authorities have yet to rule if the killing of the barangay leader was election-related though she was identified to be a coordinator of Rep. Anna Victoria Tuazon.
According to Agabe, additional police forces have already been deployed in these districts to maintain peace and order.
“We have been closely coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP), and additional personnel have been assigned specifically to prevent any escalation of violence or election-related incidents,” he said.
Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho “Icot” Petilla, who had previously requested the deployment of police in these areas, confirmed that approximately 1,000 officers were assigned to the two districts, helping to stabilize the situation.
“Since the deployment, there has been a noticeable decrease in violence, particularly in the third district,” Petilla said.
He added that while there are still reports of killings, they are often linked to personal disputes rather than politics, which authorities are also addressing.
The third district comprises the towns of Calubian, San Isidro, Tabango, Villaba, and Leyte, while the fourth district includes Kananga, Matag-ob, Merida, Palompon, Albuera, Isabel, and Ormoc City.
While the DILG’s focus remains on the third and fourth districts, Agabe noted that other areas in the region are also being monitored for potential election-related issues.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec), PNP, and the 8th Infantry Division have not yet released a comprehensive list of “areas of concern” for the May 2025 elections.
“We have just completed the filing of certificates of candidacy, and assessments are ongoing. There may be adjustments as we continue to evaluate the situation,” Agabe explained.
JOEY A. GABIETA
