The entire province of Misamis Occidental and Pilar town in Abra have been placed under the control of the Commission on Elections amid threats to security in the May 9 polls.
(File photo) MANILA - The Department of Justice said Friday it will direct a prosecution panel to look into murder and perjury cases filed against the Cordillera police arising from a checkpoint shooting in Abra nearly two months ago that resulted in one death. Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento made the announcement as agencies seek to resolve the complaint filed before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) by Pilar town Vice Mayor Jaja Josefina Disono and relatives of her slain supporter, Sandee Boy Bermudo. "The respondents will be given the opportunity to respond to the charges once they have been furnished with copies of the complaint. Thereafter, the case will be resolved considering the submissions of the parties," Malcontento said in a statement. The NBI filed criminal complaints before the DOJ against several persons involved in a shooting on March 29 around 10:30 a.m. at a Philippine National Police (PNP) - Commission on Elections checkpoint along Berona
Abra town mayor, vice mayor face raps philstar.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from philstar.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Politicians planning to win in the elections through force and intimidation should think twice because the government will not hesitate to run after them, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año warned yesterday.
Police filed criminal charges against the incumbent mayor and vice mayor of Pilar town in Abra in connection with the shootout in a checkpoint and subsequent standoff between the police and the bodyguards of a local executive on March 30. Charged were Pilar Mayor Maro Somera, Vice Mayor Jaja Josefi