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Brawl threatens to make Taguig first 'area of concern' in MManila
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(Updated 5:13 p.m.) After the violence that marked a campaign sortie of Taguig mayoral candidate Rica Tinga over the weekend, the city may become the first Metro Manila area to be classified under “areas of concern” by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
At least 12 supporters of Tinga were hurt when they were attacked by masked men while they were campaigning near Taguig City Hall last Saturday. Tinga alleged that the assailants were city hall employees.
Tinga said she would file a complaint at Comelec and ask that Taguig be declared an "area of concern," the Comelec's term for a hotspot for electoral violence. It would be the first area of concern in Metro Manila.
A rally held over the weekend by candidate for Manila mayor and former President Joseph Estrada was also marked by violence, with a rock thrown on stage as his running mate Isko Moreno was speaking.
Wounded campaigners
"Sana naman mabigyan kami ng proteksyon. Hindi lang ako, pero 'yung mga tao na nasasaktan na," Tinga said on GMA News' “Unang Hirit” on Monday, facing her electoral opponent, the incumbent Taguig mayor Lani Cayetano, for the first time since the incident.
Cayetano blamed Tinga's camp for starting the violence.
"Ang ginawa po nila ay tahakang pagpo-provoke. Ito po ay ginawa nila at mayroon pong mga larawan na may mga dala-dala pang kwitis papasok po sa City Hall na di ho natin maunawaan kung ano ang intensyon," Cayetano said, adding that Tinga's camp's entry into the City Hall compound was against the law.
Among those hurt was model-athlete Ervic Vijandre, a Tinga ally who is running for councilor in Taguig's First District.
"Nasa paligid kami ng munisipyo, nagha-house to house kami. Nangangampanya kami, kumakamay kami, nagpapakilala, tapos bigla na lang umulan ng bato," Vijandre said on “Talakayan with Igan.”
"Puro sa ulo, puro sa likod. Puro hampas," added Vijandre, whose wound on the head as a result of the attack required four stitches. He appeared on the program wearing a prominent white bandage around his head.
Tinga in turn blamed her opponent's followers for initiating the violence, resulting in the hospitalization of a 56-year-old supporter.
"Naka-confine pa rin ho. Sa Huwebes siya ay ooperahan para maayos ang kanyang ilong. Hindi nga siya makahinga masyado. Nakakaawa talaga dahil matanda po," she said.
Comelec looking into incident
Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. confirmed that Tinga's camp has requested that Taguig be put immediately under the Comelec list of areas of immediate concern.
“We are trying to make some arrangements, trying to get the facts. Pero ang sinasabi ko dahil sa nagkagulo, there is now a request on the side of Tinga for Taguig to be put as an area of immediate concern,” Brillantes told reporters at the Comelec headquarters in Manila
Brillantes said he is studying the request, and will coordinate with the Philippine National Police to see if the city will be the first in Metro Manila to be listed under areas monitored by Comelec.
“Kokontakin ko lang si [PNP] Director General Purisima, maga-agree lang kami kung pwede ilagay sa immediate concern,” Brillantes said.
If Taguig is placed on the list, the city will receive additional police forces that will guard against electoral violence, he said.
The head of the poll body also revealed that the Comelec is studying the possibility of replacing the Taguig Chief of Police.
“Meron yung request for the replacement of the chief of police in Taguig. We're also considering this,’ he said.
Commissioner Luie Guia of the Comelec said they would decide if Taguig would be declared an area of concern based on reports from its local officials as well as the police.
"Nakita natin sa video na may kaunting kaguluhan nga at kapag nakita natin, if this is a situation na puwedeng maapektuhan 'yung free conduct ng eleksyon, including 'yung mga campaigns and all these things, titingnan ng Comelec 'yan," Guia said on GMA News” “News To Go” on Monday.
"Kung may area of concern, medyo may kaunting focus doon at tinitingnan kung ano 'yung potential na puwedeng mangyari dahil nga sa mga ibang pangyayari na nagaganap," Guia added.
Prior to the start of the local campaign period in March, the Comelec adopted a four-level classification of localities: area of concern, area of immediate concern, area of grave concern, and area under Comelec-control.
So far, no area in Metro Manila has been included in the 15 that are being monitored by the Comelec in connection with the May 13 elections.
Blame game
Tinga said the assailants belong to the camp of re-electionist Mayor Lani Cayetano, wife of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.
The mayor's camp countered that Tinga's supporters provoked the brawl.
"Nanggulo sila, kasi nananahimik ang City Hall ng Taguig nang bigla silang pumasok dito. Sinasabi nila na mangangampanya sila sa loob ng City Hall. At nang sila'y lumabas bigla silang umikot doon sa likod na gate ng City Hall at nagpumilit ulit pumasok at pinagbabato 'yung mga bantay ng City Hall, 'yung mga personnel ng Public Order and Safety Office," said
Lawyer Lyle Niño Pasco, legal counsel of the Nacionalista Party in Taguig, on “Unang Balita.”
According to Comelec Commissioner Guia, candidates are allowed to campaign inside government offices, but only if they have a permit and will not disrupt government operations.
Tinga said the City Hall should be open to all.
"Ang nangyari kasi, pumasok kami, bukas ho yung gate at gusto ko lang mangamay... Ang nangyari, hinarang na kami agad. Wala naman ho kaming bawal na ginagawa," she said on “Talakayan with Igan.”
After being stopped by members of the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO), Tinga said they left the City Hall and headed for Barangay Tuktukan to continue their campaign activities. It was then that they were allegedly attacked by some 50 men.
"Ang nangyari, 'yung pambabato, bugbugan ay nangyari sa gilid ng City Hall. Nakalabas na kami. Parang inabangan pa ang mga tao. At nangutya pa. Ako mismo, narinig ko. Unang-una ang sinigawan nila 'yung cameraman namin. Minura-mura nila, at kinuha 'yung camera. So nasa kanila hong possession 'yun," said Tinga.
Charges
Vijandre said they will file charges against the unidentified assailants.
On the other hand, Cayetano said the City Legal Office is studying whether they would also file charges against Tinga's followers, based on the police report.
According to the report on “Unang Balita,” the police blotter was based on information from members of the Taguig POSO, four of whom were injured. One was hit in the face, while another suffered a broken bone in the hand after being hit by a placard by a Tinga supporter.
Cayetano said based on a video of the incident, Tinga's camp was moving toward Barangay Tuktukan before suddenly rushing into the City Hall compound.
"Sabado po ito nangyari. Wala pong opisina, kaya ano po ang intensyon. Malinaw na malinaw po na para mag-provoke," she said.
Cayetano added that it was not the first time Tinga's camp initiated such action. "Pangatlong taon na ito. Ang istorya lagi, sila po ang lumulusob," she said.
Taguig rivalry
The rivalry between the Cayetano and Tinga families dates back to the 2010 elections.
Taguig became one of seven "hotly contested areas" in Metro Manila in 2010, when Cayetano's victory was protested by her opponent, former Justice Dante Tinga, Rica's father.
Tinga's camp called for a recount in the elections. — Carmela G. Lapeña and Patricia Denise Chiu/KBK/HS, GMA News
At least 12 supporters of Tinga were hurt when they were attacked by masked men while they were campaigning near Taguig City Hall last Saturday. Tinga alleged that the assailants were city hall employees.
Tinga said she would file a complaint at Comelec and ask that Taguig be declared an "area of concern," the Comelec's term for a hotspot for electoral violence. It would be the first area of concern in Metro Manila.
Screen grab from 'Unang Hirit'
Wounded campaigners
"Sana naman mabigyan kami ng proteksyon. Hindi lang ako, pero 'yung mga tao na nasasaktan na," Tinga said on GMA News' “Unang Hirit” on Monday, facing her electoral opponent, the incumbent Taguig mayor Lani Cayetano, for the first time since the incident.
Cayetano blamed Tinga's camp for starting the violence.
"Ang ginawa po nila ay tahakang pagpo-provoke. Ito po ay ginawa nila at mayroon pong mga larawan na may mga dala-dala pang kwitis papasok po sa City Hall na di ho natin maunawaan kung ano ang intensyon," Cayetano said, adding that Tinga's camp's entry into the City Hall compound was against the law.
Among those hurt was model-athlete Ervic Vijandre, a Tinga ally who is running for councilor in Taguig's First District.
"Nasa paligid kami ng munisipyo, nagha-house to house kami. Nangangampanya kami, kumakamay kami, nagpapakilala, tapos bigla na lang umulan ng bato," Vijandre said on “Talakayan with Igan.”
"Puro sa ulo, puro sa likod. Puro hampas," added Vijandre, whose wound on the head as a result of the attack required four stitches. He appeared on the program wearing a prominent white bandage around his head.
Tinga in turn blamed her opponent's followers for initiating the violence, resulting in the hospitalization of a 56-year-old supporter.
"Naka-confine pa rin ho. Sa Huwebes siya ay ooperahan para maayos ang kanyang ilong. Hindi nga siya makahinga masyado. Nakakaawa talaga dahil matanda po," she said.
Comelec looking into incident
Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. confirmed that Tinga's camp has requested that Taguig be put immediately under the Comelec list of areas of immediate concern.
“We are trying to make some arrangements, trying to get the facts. Pero ang sinasabi ko dahil sa nagkagulo, there is now a request on the side of Tinga for Taguig to be put as an area of immediate concern,” Brillantes told reporters at the Comelec headquarters in Manila
Brillantes said he is studying the request, and will coordinate with the Philippine National Police to see if the city will be the first in Metro Manila to be listed under areas monitored by Comelec.
“Kokontakin ko lang si [PNP] Director General Purisima, maga-agree lang kami kung pwede ilagay sa immediate concern,” Brillantes said.
If Taguig is placed on the list, the city will receive additional police forces that will guard against electoral violence, he said.
The head of the poll body also revealed that the Comelec is studying the possibility of replacing the Taguig Chief of Police.
“Meron yung request for the replacement of the chief of police in Taguig. We're also considering this,’ he said.
Commissioner Luie Guia of the Comelec said they would decide if Taguig would be declared an area of concern based on reports from its local officials as well as the police.
"Nakita natin sa video na may kaunting kaguluhan nga at kapag nakita natin, if this is a situation na puwedeng maapektuhan 'yung free conduct ng eleksyon, including 'yung mga campaigns and all these things, titingnan ng Comelec 'yan," Guia said on GMA News” “News To Go” on Monday.
"Kung may area of concern, medyo may kaunting focus doon at tinitingnan kung ano 'yung potential na puwedeng mangyari dahil nga sa mga ibang pangyayari na nagaganap," Guia added.
Prior to the start of the local campaign period in March, the Comelec adopted a four-level classification of localities: area of concern, area of immediate concern, area of grave concern, and area under Comelec-control.
So far, no area in Metro Manila has been included in the 15 that are being monitored by the Comelec in connection with the May 13 elections.
Blame game
Tinga said the assailants belong to the camp of re-electionist Mayor Lani Cayetano, wife of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.
The mayor's camp countered that Tinga's supporters provoked the brawl.
"Nanggulo sila, kasi nananahimik ang City Hall ng Taguig nang bigla silang pumasok dito. Sinasabi nila na mangangampanya sila sa loob ng City Hall. At nang sila'y lumabas bigla silang umikot doon sa likod na gate ng City Hall at nagpumilit ulit pumasok at pinagbabato 'yung mga bantay ng City Hall, 'yung mga personnel ng Public Order and Safety Office," said
Lawyer Lyle Niño Pasco, legal counsel of the Nacionalista Party in Taguig, on “Unang Balita.”
According to Comelec Commissioner Guia, candidates are allowed to campaign inside government offices, but only if they have a permit and will not disrupt government operations.
Tinga said the City Hall should be open to all.
"Ang nangyari kasi, pumasok kami, bukas ho yung gate at gusto ko lang mangamay... Ang nangyari, hinarang na kami agad. Wala naman ho kaming bawal na ginagawa," she said on “Talakayan with Igan.”
After being stopped by members of the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO), Tinga said they left the City Hall and headed for Barangay Tuktukan to continue their campaign activities. It was then that they were allegedly attacked by some 50 men.
"Ang nangyari, 'yung pambabato, bugbugan ay nangyari sa gilid ng City Hall. Nakalabas na kami. Parang inabangan pa ang mga tao. At nangutya pa. Ako mismo, narinig ko. Unang-una ang sinigawan nila 'yung cameraman namin. Minura-mura nila, at kinuha 'yung camera. So nasa kanila hong possession 'yun," said Tinga.
Charges
Vijandre said they will file charges against the unidentified assailants.
On the other hand, Cayetano said the City Legal Office is studying whether they would also file charges against Tinga's followers, based on the police report.
According to the report on “Unang Balita,” the police blotter was based on information from members of the Taguig POSO, four of whom were injured. One was hit in the face, while another suffered a broken bone in the hand after being hit by a placard by a Tinga supporter.
Cayetano said based on a video of the incident, Tinga's camp was moving toward Barangay Tuktukan before suddenly rushing into the City Hall compound.
"Sabado po ito nangyari. Wala pong opisina, kaya ano po ang intensyon. Malinaw na malinaw po na para mag-provoke," she said.
Cayetano added that it was not the first time Tinga's camp initiated such action. "Pangatlong taon na ito. Ang istorya lagi, sila po ang lumulusob," she said.
Taguig rivalry
The rivalry between the Cayetano and Tinga families dates back to the 2010 elections.
Taguig became one of seven "hotly contested areas" in Metro Manila in 2010, when Cayetano's victory was protested by her opponent, former Justice Dante Tinga, Rica's father.
Tinga's camp called for a recount in the elections. — Carmela G. Lapeña and Patricia Denise Chiu/KBK/HS, GMA News
