The Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) allayed fears raised by candidates and the electorate that partisanship will taint the performance of augmentation teams and their local police counterparts assigned in the municipalities of Bohol.

Police Superintendent Ricky Deliles, public information officer of the BPPO gave his word over DYRD “Inyong Alagad” this morning, Tuesday, May 3, 2016 that the police and the 432 military officers assigned as part of the augmentation teams will be strictly apolitical and adhere to their vow of non-partisanship.

Deliles called on the public to immediately report incidents of partisan activity among police officer in the coming local and national elections.

The deployment of the 48 squads of military officers is part of the over-all plan of beefing up police visibility which is hampered by the lack of police manpower, according to Deliles.

“In behalf of the BPPO headed by our Provincial Director Police Senior Superintendent Dennis Palo Agustin, I am appealing to the candidates not to resort to violence and the voters to choose wisely”, Deliles said.

Eight towns have been placed under the Commission on Elections Election Watch List Areas or EWA after confirmed reports of intense political rivalries and the volatile atmosphere prevailing that would trigger election related violence due to the presence of armed men.

The eight towns under the EWA and the mayoral candidates of the municipalities are: 1st District: Antequera – LP Incumbent (Inc) Jose Pahang vs. Ind. Samuel Rebosura; Tubigon – UNA Inc.Marlon Amila vs. LP former Mayor William Jao; Buenavista;

2nd District – Buenavista – UNA Inc. Ronald Tirol vs LP Roseller Banez; Clarin – LP Inc. Rey Piezas vs. UNA Eugeniano Ibarra; Danao – UNA Inc.Thomas Gonzaga running unopposed; Inabanga – LP Inc.Josephine Jumamoy vs. UNA Concepcion Muneses; Ubay – LP Inc. Galicano Atup, NPC Constantino Reyes, Ind. Danilo Mendez.

3rd District – Bilar – LP Inc. Norman Palacio vs. UNA Elmer Namocat. (Chito M. Visarra)