- To ensure Ilocos Norte will be peaceful and orderly place
during the election period
PROV’L CAPITOL, Laoag City, Jan.15–The Ilocos Norte police provincial office under the Philippine National Police tagged Laoag City and seven municipalities in the province as under poll watchlist by PNP in connection with this midyear national and local elections in May.
P/Supt. Richmond Tadina, deputy provincial director for administration of the INPPO, disclosed this important police matter on election to the members of the Sangguniang Panglalawigan of Ilocos Norte during their regular session held at the Provincial Capitol here yesterday.
Superintendent Tadina told the SP members that aside from Laoag City, also placed under watchlist as Category 1 are the towns of Dingras, Pagudpud, Marcos, Sarrat and Solsona.
He added that the towns of Badoc and Pasuquin are put under Category 2 in the PNP tight watch.
He explained that the above two places are put under Category 2 due to a possible threat of armed groups, terrorists and loose firearms.
On the other hand, the first aforesaid six areas including Laoag are named under Category 1 due to their history of poll-related negative incidents in recent years, he further said.
Reacting to the INPPO ranking official’s statement, an outspoken SP member from Laoag took the floor during the said session and questioned why Laoag was categorized in the PNP close watch. (bbr/tri-media report)
