Basilan election heats up with disruptions

By Rene V. Carbayas

ISABELA CITY, Basilan May 9 (PIA) – The National and Local Elections in Basilan heat up with various disruptions in the voting process.

Inclement weather at the opening of voting, minor glitches of some Vote Counting Machines (VCM), conflict between rival parties and supporters, and shooting incidents were reported in some locations in Basilan Province.

Authorities reported that an alleged commotion incident transpired around 8:00 am in barangay Sulutan Matangal in Hadji Mohammad Ajul municipality wherein a teacher and said to be the son of the village chairperson of the said barangay has beaten the followers of incumbent mayor Ibrahim Ballaho and allegedly threatened them not to cast their votes. The suspect also allegedly fired his .45 caliber pistol near the polling center. Government troops were said to have responded immediately and took control of the situation. 

A commotion was also reported around 7:40 am in Lower Tablas, Tuburan municipality where a fistfight between rival parties had disrupted the voting in the said areas. Eye witnesses account said that the commotion lasted for quite some time with no authorities to pacify the incident.

 

Local media here also received reports that a commotion transpired early this morning between the teachers and a female lawyer in Lantawan municipality as to where the Vote Counting Machine (VCM) should be deployed. The teachers argued that the VCM should be placed at the NEW Luuk-Maluha Elementary School, while the alleged lawyer insisted on placing it at the OLD school. 

 

Shooting incidents were also reported in Boloh-Boloh, Tabuan-lasa Island municipality. Authorities are yet to confirm the details. 

The local media reported that in Tipo-Tipo town, an undetermined number of armed men have reportedly fired their guns at unknown directions, while their accomplices have tried to snatch ballots to no avail. The army has responded with warning shots. Suspects also fired some shots and fled the area empty-handed, leaving their snatched ballots outside the precincts.

 

In Isabela City and in some parts of Basilan, electorates flocked the voting centers in spite of the inclement weather with occasional rain showers. The opening of voting centers at 6:00 this morning went well, except for some glitches in the VCM that experienced paper jams, but were immediately addressed by COMELEC technicians.

Meanwhile, the members of the precinct election inspectors have difficulty controlling the crowd cueing to vote, especially at Isabela Central Elementary Pilot School polling center in Isabela City, Basilan. With the COVID-19 Pandemic, social distancing is not anymore followed in spite of the continues reminder of the election inspectors. (EDT/RVC/PIA9 with reports from Nilda Delos Reyes)