Libon, Albay placed under Comelec control

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has placed the municipality of Libon in Albay under its control for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on October 30.

The Comelec said "recent politically motivated assassinations of barangay officials in the locality" prompted it to take control of the town.

Aimee Ferolino, Commissioner-in-Charge on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns (CBFSC) approved the recommendations of the joint security control centers of the region, province and the municipality on the case of Libon.

"Upon due deliberation, the CBFSC has determined that the peace and order situation in the municipality of Libon, Albay will affect the conduct of the elections therein," the Comelec said.

Earlier in the day, Comelec chairperson George Garcia also said that Libon will be placed under the poll body's control based on the recommendations of the police, military and the poll body's regional office.

In August, incumbent barangay chairperson, Alex Repato, and councilman Relly Mata and her spouse, Alfredo were killed in separate incidents, which the Comelec said were "reportedly politically motivated."

Barangays have been categorized as green, yellow, orange, and red, depending on the situation in the area with green being generally peaceful while red being besieged with problems such as the presence of private armed or terrorist groups, and intense political rivalry.

As of October 20, the Comelec reported that 361 areas in the country were categorized as red.—LDF, GMA Integrated News