A barangay captain and tanod were arrested after a shooting incident that left one injured, rampant vote-buying ranging from P50 to P200 was reported, and 44 were nabbed for violating the liquor ban.

But, on the whole, the Sangguniang Kabataan and barangay elections in Negros Occidental yesterday were peaceful, Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, Negros Occidental police director, said.

Gov. Joseph Marañon, who voted in precinct 39A of Barangay 2, Sagay City, also said reports he received were that the elections in Negros Occidental, for the most part, was peaceful and orderly.

Provincial Election Officer Jessie Suarez said there was an expected 85 percent voter turnout.

He also said a shooting incident occurred in Barangay Pandanon Silos, Murcia that resulted in the injury of a woman passing through the area on board a motorcycle at 8:45 p.m. Sunday.

A report submitted to Suarez said a misunderstanding erupted between opposing groups of Barangay Captain Leandro de la Torre and Barangay Tanod Jose Magsico and, in the gunfire that ensued, Mary Ann Tabujara Marañon, 46, of Barangay Tangub, Bacolod, was hit on the forehead and rushed to the Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital in Bacolod City .

Marañon was riding on a motorcycle driven by her husband, Winnie Marañon, on the way to Bacolod when she was suddenly hit by the bullet, Suarez was told.

De la Torre and Magsico were detained at the Murcia police station yesterday, but the barangay captain posted bail later in the day, he said.

Magsico is the father of Margaret Magsico Gapiz who ran for barangay captain against de la Torre.

Police Inspector Arnold Mesias, Murcia OIC police chief, said they have not determined yet who was the gunman and have not recovered the gun fired. Those involved will be subjected to paraffin tests.

Meanwhile, the house of Kagawad Rudy Bancaya who was running for barangay captain of Barangay Iglau-an was shot at Sunday night.

VOTE-BUYING

In Cadiz City three persons were arrested for voted-buying and 44 others were arrested for violation the COMELEC liquor ban, Chief Inspector Jefferson Descallar reported.

Nabbed at 10:30 a.m. yesterday were Carla Hofelina, 20, Ruby Alolon, 30, Michell Sangrenes, 33 , in the act of vote buying in Barangay Zone 1, Cadiz City, said Descallar, Cadiz police chief.

They were allegedly buying votes for Roy Ballandra, a candidate for barangay captain, he said.

Cadiz Election Officer Rodel Gonzalez said they received a report of vote-buying in Barangay Zone 1 and when they reached the area they saw a long line of people from the street to a house where the three were nabbed giving out money.

Descallar said 44 persons, including a candidate for kagawad in Brgy. Daga, Cadiz City, were also nabbed for violation of the COMELEC liquor ban but were released yesterday with clearance from the COMELEC so they could vote.

San Enrique officer Marcos Cordero said he received a report of vote-buying in Barangay Guintorilan, San Enrique, but initial investigation showed that the report had been staged to discredit a candidate.

In Bacolod City , Election Officer Mavil Majarucon said there were reports of vote-buying in almost all barangays.

She said her office received numerous reports of vote-buying since late Sunday to yesterday, the most massive of which were in barangays Banago, Mandalagan, 11 and 31.

Senior Inspector Gary Alan Resuma, Binalbagan police chief, reported yesterday the confiscation on Sunday of two P50 bills attached to sample ballots, from a woman in Brgy. San Teodoro, Binalbagan.*CPG

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