Two unidentified persons were killed while 10 others were arrested on the first day of the setting up of the Philippine National Police and Commission on Elections checkpoints in Bulacan on Sunday.
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Meanwhile, the candidates running for national and local posts should coordinate with military units during the campaign period for their security from possible rebel attacks, Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office chief Noel Detoyato said on Monday.
Detoyato said candidates could request security but it was up to the Commission on Elections to approve it.
Supt. Orlando Castil Jr., City of San Jose Del Monte City chief of police, said the two slain men were riding on a motorcycle without plate numbers and ignored the police and Comelec personnel manning the checkpoint around 1:15 a.m. at Graceville Village.
“The personnel tried to flag down the motorcycle but instead of yielding it accelerated, which prompted the police to chase the suspects,” Castil said.
He said all Police Community Precincts were ordered to establish dragnet operations while possible exit routes were blocked by mobile patrols.
“The suspects, sensing they would be overtaken, immediately got off from the motorcycle and fired shots toward the responding personnel, prompting them to retaliate,” Castil said.
The police collected a .45-cal. pistol, a 38-cal. revolver and the motorcycle used by the suspects.
Meanwhile, Senior Supt. Chito Bersaluna, chief of the Bulacan Provincial Police Office, said the 10 people were arrested in the PNP-Comelec checkpoint in Angat town.
“The suspects shouted towards the police manning the checkpoint and accelerated their tricycle and tried to evade arrest. They were immediately chased and arrested. The suspects were under the influence of liquor,” Bersaluna said.
“Appropriate criminal complaints against the arrested suspects are now being prepared for filing before the court.”
