PNP in Central Luzon to meet with DILG to diffuse political tension in Jaen

Philippine National Police chief Police General Debold Sinas on Wednesday ordered the PNP's regional director in Central Luzon to make representations with the Department of the Interior and Local Government  to help diffuse the political tension in Jaen, Nueva Ecija.

In a statement, Sinas said he instructed PNP regional director for Central Luzon Police Brigadier General Valeriano de Leon to coordinate with the DILG in the region.

“The explosion at 8:00PM on Tuesday in Poblacion Jaen has all the indications of political motive apparently related to the contested mayoral seat of the Municipality of Jaen," Sinas said.

"This is already the second incident of this nature—with striking similarities to the first incident of explosion and power blackout on December 20, 2020,” he added.

“Incidentally, in both explosions, post-blast investigation shows similarities in the bomb signature and components used in the construction of both IEDs, indicating the possibility that it may be the handiwork of the same suspect,” Sinas said.

An unidentified suspect hurled a grenade at the house of Jaen Mayor Sylvia Austria before dawn on Saturday.

In December last year, two explosions from improvised explosive devices rocked the gate of the municipal hall in Jaen.

Tension also gripped Jaen in the last week of January this year during a confrontation at the municipal hall between Austria's supporters Austria and those of Antonio Esquivel.

Austria was declared the winner in the May 2019 elections but she stepped down from office in December after the Regional Trial Court Branch 87 handed down a decision in favor of Esquivel's election protest.

The Commission on Elections second division, on January 12, 2021, however issued a status quo ante-order reinstating Austria as the mayor of Jaen.

Esquivel did not accept the Comelec order and the resolution of the Sangguniang Bayan recognizing Austria as the duly elected mayor.

“Meantime, that the PNP is awaiting further orders from DILG, my instruction to RD, PRO3 is to ensure that a safe buffer is maintained between both parties and their supporters to prevent possible direct confrontation and escalation of violence,” Sinas said.

“I urge both parties to keep their respective political supporters under control and to refrain from taking actions detrimental to public order and safety. The PNP will not take sides on this political contest, but will be firm and decisive in enforcing the law and implementing legal orders,” he added. -Joahna Lei Casilao/NB, GMA News