Comelec puts Tagbilaran City,
6 towns poll areas of concern
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, (PIA)—The Commission on Elections has places six towns and Tagbilaran City in Bohol in the yellow category of the election areas of concern and would force the election security operators to put in a bolstered security to ensure peaceful and fair elections.
In the list which the Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJCCC) submitted to the Regional JSCC include Buenavista, Tubigon, Inabanga, Trinidad, Ubay, San Miguel and Tagbilaran City.
“Areas placed under yellow category are those with history of election related violence in the last recent elections and those with intense political rivalry which spark division among local leaders that has since raised tensions that could threaten the peace and security,” explains Camp Dagohoy’s Operations Officer Major Christopher Fernandez, during the recent Final Provincial Command Conference at the Panda Tea Garden and Suites, May 3.
For these areas, the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection and polls stakeholders deploy uniformed personnel to help keep the peace.
For Buenavista, the yellow category stemmed from an election related violence which happened October 6, 2023 in preparation for the Barangay and SK elections.
That time, a municipal councilor was shot to death in Barangay Cangawa of the town, where two of the three suspects are now arrested and facing suits while one is still at large.
For Tubigon, the intense rivalry between outgoing mayor William Jao and former Mayor Marlon Amila has leapt into vice mayor Rene Villaber, whom Jao endorsed, which extended the intense rivalry.
Jao and Amila have faced off in four elections since 2013.
Inabanga on the other hand, is yet another saga of political rivalries highlighting the Jumamoy’s four decade and record holding last undefeated political dynasty in Bohol.
This time, incumbent mayor Jose Jono Jumamoy faces off the nephew of the opposition camp leader in Epifanio Muneses, who narrowly lost to the maternal Jumamoy in 2013.
Now seen to be a hotspot in the 2025 National Elections, Jose Jono is set to extend his term, but could be in for yet a loud opposition in Dexter Ancla, a relative of the Muneses, who lost in the 2016 and 2019 polls.
Partnering Jose Jono is his mother Josephine Socorro while on the other camps is Dexter paired with former vice mayor Hermogenes Cenabre Jr.
Complicating the rivalry is Angcla’s alliance with Abante Bohol Coalition under Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, which also polarized the already tense situation that has become a political incendiary.
Trinidad, on the other hand recorded an alleged threat to the local candidates, thus the category as assessed by the police and the military operatives here.
Incumbent mayor and lawyer Roberto Cajes, who was former congressman in the district pairs with his daughter Joan Robie, while on the opposite camp is vice mayor Ferdinand Erio and Deuel Puracan.
Mayor Cajes reportedly received a threat through text that he may not last until May 12, and their rallies had been with strange men observing.
Ubay has councilor Violeta Reyes, wife of incumbent mayor Constantino up against vice mayor Victor Bonghanoy and Maximo Boyles Jr.
Once allies, Bonghanoy and Reyes are now at bitter ends, both candidates with a good influence and could muster crowds as respected political figures.
It is again a mayor against vice mayor rivalry in San Miguel when Ian Gil meets Faustino Bulaga who is also an influential and powerful figure, that the campaigns have been a colorful exchange of discrediting words that often lead to supporters flaring up.
And the intense political rivalry displayed, not by the candidates but by the highly politicized supporters and neighborhoods maje Tagbilaran City a showcase of heated campaigns and growing political tensions.
A former ally and son of former city mayor now shifts alliances, against a re-electionist Jane Cajes Yap, daughter of yet another candidate Mayor Roberto Cajes.
Malvin Misael Torralba still keeps his father’s charisma, and the voting support of vote rich Cogon, while Yap has a term of showcasing what her leadership style and how it has brought Tagbilaran to what it is now. (PIABohol)
SECURITY FORCE DEPLOYMENT. With still insufficient number of security personnel to help facilitate the conduct of peaceful and credible elections, the PNP, AFP, BFP and PGC along with other poll stakeholders are pooling manpower and coordinating strategies for successful elections a week from now. (PIABohol)
