The entire First Congressional District of Oriental Negros will probably be placed under the Commission on Elections control, provincial election supervisor Manuel Advincula said. Advincula said he recently received a memorandum directive from COMELEC Central office ordering him to submit a report and recommendation of the La Libertad ambush that killed seven persons, including a barangay captain, and to assess the situation in the district.

The first district includes the municipalities of Manjuyod, Bindoy, Ayungon, Jimalalud, La Libertad, Guihulngan, Vallehermoso and Canlaon City.

Advincula said at present he is collating reports from Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation where he will base his recommendation to the COMELEC en banc.

The ambush, though, has considered by the police as an isolated case.

Under COMELEC Resolution 7773, a district can be placed under COMELEC control if there is serious armed threats, presence of goons and the security is highly at risk.

Advincula said as of this time there is no evidence that such ambush was considered as an election incident, adding that he considers the incident as an isolated even amid reports that it was politically motivated. He said the killing occurred when no candidate has filed his certificate of candidacy.

Advincula vowed to make his best recommendation in order that the first district will not be placed under COMELEC control. He said placing first district under COMELEC control will destroy the good image of Oriental Negros that had a peaceful election record in the country.*MA

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