Barangay & SK Election updates - Northern Samar

By NSPDF-PPCRV Joint Election-Monitoring
October 25, 2010, 6pm

Widespread detention of SK Voters

The NSPDF-PPCRV Joint Election Monitoring Headquarters has received a number of reports of young people being detained by supporters of candidates throughout the province. However, a majority of their parents would not like to file any form of complaint against the perpetrators out of fear for their safety.

October 23 (around 10:30am), young voters were allegedly being detained by a couple at their house at Brgy. Ward II, San Antonio. The HQ communicated the matter to the PNP and with the help of a concerned citizen of the small island-town, PNP personnel were able to settle the matter and the children were released.

October 24 (around 9:30am). young voters of Brgy. Cawayan, Catarman were also allegedly being hauled to Brgy. Daganas and detained against their will. The HQ received a number of calls and texts about the matter and immediately communicated the matter to the PNP for immediate action. However, upon arrival of the PNP the parents of the children who were allegedly being detained were present in Brgy. Daganas and informed the PNP personnel that they are there with their consent.

According to the Joint Election Monitoring Team in the area of Laoang, young voters in Brgy. Oleras were allegedly being mass relocated and detained. In coordination with the PNP, the monitoring team went to the barangay to verify the reports and found a number of SK voters still aboard a vehicle. The monitoring team took photographs of the young voters and also secured two (2) affidavits from two parents that signify their disapproval of the relocation and detention.

SK Candidate handing out cellphones

24 October (around 8:00PM) According to the Joint Election Monitoring Team in the area of Lavezares, SK Candidates in the area were allegedly buying votes by handing out cellphones or money to young voters. The HQ received a number of confirmations from the area and relayed the matter to the Municipal Election Officer.

Transport of Election paraphernalia delayed

24 October (8:00PM) According to the Northern Samar Provincial Information Center of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), COMELEC Tacloban experienced delays in transporting the Election paraphernalia intended for Northern Samar. Three (3) transport vans reportedly left around 4:30PM from Tacloban and is expected to arrive in the province between 11:00PM to 1:00AM October 25.

Misinformation being circulated

On October 24 (around 6:20PM), the HQ received its first election-related violent incident report which states that a certain Jenny Arhenio (Divina) was shot in her house at Brgy. Cawayan, Catarman. The HQ immediately relayed the incident to the PNP for confirmation. Around 7:45PM, the HQ received a report from the PNP stating that the incident was not election-related as relayed by relatives and friends. The incident is no longer being monitored by the HQ since then.

On October 25 (around 9:00am), the HQ received a call from a reliable source that there were reports circulating about the killing of the Chairman of Brgy Libjo, Catarman. The HQ, per protocol, relayed the information to its volunteers and to the PNP for confirmation. Before 12:00NN (lunch time), the PNP informed the HQ that the incident was fabricated and was false. None of the monitoring volunteers were also able to verify the incident.

COMELEC Resolution about the delayed Election Paraphernalia

24 October (around 10:00PM) According the PNP-NSPPO, through the PIA Information Center, Atty. Andrew Bido, the Provincial Election Officer, relayed a resolution by the COMELEC National Office stating that the Barangay and SK Elections will continue until 5:00PM in areas that will receive the election paraphernalia before noon (12:00nn) of October 25. Areas that would not be able to receive their election paraphernalia before 12:00nn will be delayed to October 26.

COMELEC Resolution about PPCRV copy of Election Returns (ERs)

The HQ received, around 10:25am October 25, a copy of a memorandum signed by COMELEC Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal directing all Board of Election Tellers (BETs) that in cases where there are insufficient or unavailable copies of ERs, PPCRV volunteers should be furnished a copy of the Certificate of Votes instead.

Barangay Elections deferred to October 26

October 25 (4:00PM) According to the three (3) NSPDF-PPCRV Joint Election Monitoring Teams, all 24 municipalities in the province held Barangay and SK Elections with the exception of a few barangays which could not hold elections before 12:00nn. In Catarman, seven (7) barangays which includes Cawayan, UEP Zones 1, 2 and 3, Dalakit, Baybay and Macagtas will defer to October 26. In Las Navas, one (1) barangay, Brgy. San Jorge will defer. In Mondragon, six (6) barangays, Brgy. Doña Lucia, Makiwalo, Imelda, La Trinidad, Bugko and Roxas will defer. However, Brgy. Bugko of Mondragon was able to hold SK Elections. A total of fourtheen (14) barangays in Northern Samar will hold elections on October 26.