Senator Francis 'Tol' Tolentino has recommended the postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election (BSKE) in Negros Oriental this October amid the current peace and order situation in the province.
He floated the suggestion during the continuation of the Senate probe on former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo's murder and other killings perpetuated in Negros Oriental on Wednesday.
"Kung sasang-ayunan niyo po ako—of course, this is with the concurrence of other colleagues and the Commission on Elections— kung i-postpone po natin ang Barangay [and SK] elections sa Negros Oriental," Tolentio, who heads the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, told fellow lawmakers.
The Senator said if the BSKE election will be pursued this October, violence in the province may increase.
"Kasi Barangay po iyan, mas mainit po 'yan, Mr. Chairman. Ayun 'yung lumalaro sa isip ko pero imbitahan natin ang COMELEC chairman next hearing para sa kaniyang opinion," he added.
According to Tolentino, once postponed, the "momentum of peacekeeping forces" will be strengthened.
"Pagkatapos ng ibang trabaho, mame-maintain 'yung law and order sa Negros Oriental," he added.
The Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) earlier unveiled that it recorded 43 gun attacks in Negros Oriental since 2016.
The attacks were against one governor (Degamo), one provincial board member, two vice mayors, six city and municipal council members, 16 barangay chairpersons, and 17 barangay councilors and kagawads.
