Comelec regional director's house in Dipolog strafed

By: InterAksyon.com
January 28, 2013 11:05 AM

InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5

MANILA, Philippines - The house of elections regional director Jay Balisado of Region XI in Dipolog City was strafed last week, said the Commission on Elections Employees' Union, condemning the attack. 

Armed gunmen fired several shots at the gate of Balisado's house on January 25, 2013 at around 2:30 in the morning. No one was hurt in the incident, although the steel gate as well as two vehicles parked inside were damaged.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the strafing...This recent shooting incident underscores the dangers faced by Comelec officials and employees especially during the election season,” said Mac Ramirez, national president of Comelec-EU.

“Measures should be put in place to ensure the safety and well-being of poll workers in the frontlines,” he added.

The union leader called on the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly.

Higher pay

At the same time, Armando Mallorca, Comelec-EU vice president for external affairs, reiterated the organization's demand for a substantial increase in the salary of Comelec officials and employees.

“Lubhang delikado ang trabaho ng mga empleyado at upisyal ng Comelec, at inaasahan pa naming tumindi ito habang papalapit ang eleksyon. Ngunit ang nakakalungkot, hindi naman kami nakakatanggap ng sapat na sahod (The work of Comelec employees and officials are extremely dangerous, and we expect the violence to worsen as the election draws near. But the sad part is, we do not receive sufficient wage),” said Mallorca, who is also election officer for Pateros.

He said the Comelec-EU will gather its rank-and-file workers on February 9, 2013 in Intramuros, Manila to discuss the issue.