The Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) will continue in two barangays in the Municipalities of Barira and Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte despite the recent fire incidents.
According to RH Jun Dimacutac’s report on Rapido Hataw Balita, Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) Regional Director Allan Nobleza confirmed that BSKE scheduled on Monday, Oct. 30 would not be disrupted.
Nobleza stated that 300 policemen, who are ready to serve as electoral boards when needed, had been deployed.
Sa kabila ng panununog ng classrooms sa bayan ng Barira, Buldon at Dalican, Datu Odin Sinsuat Maguindanao del Norte tuloy ang election ayon sa PRO BAR | RH 19 Jun Dimacutac#RapidoHatawBalita#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) October 29, 2023
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Based on Commission on Election's (Comelec) initial report sent to DZRH, a fire hit Ruminimbang Elementary School in Brgy. Ruminimbang, Barira on Saturday morning, Oct. 28.
“The incident resulted to the burning of Grade 1 to Grade 4 classrooms of the said school. No casualty is reported,” it said.
According to the poll body, the fire incident is possibly “connected with the upcoming BSKE 2023 since the burnt classrooms are to be utilized as polling precincts.”
Brgy. Ruminimbang is classified as a red category or election area with grave concern, according to Comelec.
Meanwhile, a fire also blazed classrooms in Dalican Pilot Elementary School in Brgy. Dalican Poblacion, Datu Odin Sinsuat on the same day.
In a Facebook post, PRO-BAR said it has launched an investigation into the two separate fire incidents.
“PRO BAR now working closely with the men on the ground for necessary actions and to expedite the arrest of the perpetrators and hold them accountable for their crimes,” it said.
As of this posting, the suspects have yet been caught.
