Commotion mars start of vote canvassing at Lanao del Sur provincial capitol

Commotion emerged at the Lanao del Sur provincial capitol in Marawi City on Tuesday following a confusion involving supporters of a local candidate, authorities reported.

Interviewed at Super Radyo dzBB, Police Colonel Christopher Panapan, Lanao del Sur Police provincial director, said election paraphernalias were brought to the provincial capitol from the municipality of Butig at past 10 am for the conduct of municipal canvassing.

"Noong nasa capitol, nagkaroon ng hindi pagkakaunawaan, hindi pagkakaintindihan, dahil akala ng followers ng kandidato ay mag-uumpisa na 'yung canvassing. Pero hindi pa pala, inaayos pa lang 'yung mga equipment para mag-umpisa na sana," Panapan said.

(At the capitol, a misunderstanding occurred as the followers of one candidate thought that the canvassing would already start. But the truth is, the equipment is still being prepared for the canvassing.)

"'Yung followers at supporters ng kandidato ay gustong pumilit na pumasok sa loob ng ating canvassing area. Kung kaya nagkaroon ng komosyon, ng tulakan, at ito'y nagresulta ng pagkabasag ng mga salamin ng ating provincial capitol," he added.

(The followers and supporters of the candidate want to force their way into the canvassing area. A commotion or jostle between the supporters and authorities transpired, resulting in the shattering of some windows of the provincial capitol.)

The tension was pacified upon intervention by authorities.

No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

In a separate interview, Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Major Andrew Linao said the gunshots heard at the provincial capitol were warning shots from the Philippine National Police to pacify the situation.—AOL, GMA News