• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Mayor Ray Ruiz yesterday said that Candoni remains peaceful despite the encounter between government forces and New People’s Army rebels in November last year, which he dismissed as an “isolated incident.”
The Commission on Elections has recommended that Candoni will be placed under the “orange category” status because of serious armed threats.
While he has some questions on why Candoni should be an area of concern during the May 12 elections, Ruiz said he welcomes the recommendation, which is no problem for him.
The mayor said “it is okay for him,” since the authorities will ensure the peaceful conduct of elections next month in the town.
The 31 other local government units in Negros Occidental, including highly urbanized Bacolod City, remain under the “green category,” or being identified as having no election related security concerns.
The encounter in Sitio Cogon, Brgy. Gatuslao, Candoni, on Nov. 24 last year, claimed the lives of six suspected rebels, with no injuries reported on the government side.*
