BANGUED, Abra (PIA) -- The Abra Police Provincial Office (PPO) heightens  security measures in  the municipality of Bucay   for the  safety of residents, voters and candidates alike,  as the October 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE)  draw near.  

Provincial Operation and Management Unit Chief PLtCol. Ricky Dangioan reported  during the 2nd Coordination meeting of the Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC) that  six  Motorized Anti-Street Crime Operatives, Special Armed Forces  and Municipal Police Station personnel  are assigned to specific areas in the municipality.

This  amidst the escalating  political tension and safety concerns  with  some  candidates withdrawing, reports of harassment and intimidation, and even a shootout incident.  

“Meron tayong deployed forces sa different barangays especially sa riverside barangays and pati din sa southern part ng town, may nga assigned MASCO na ang police sa clustered areas,” Dangioan explained.

The PJSCC has recommended  at least seven barangays of the town  to be put  under Orange Category. These are Abang, Bangbangcag, Bugbog, Layugan, North Poblacion, Pagala, South Poblacion, and Tabiog.

Areas under orange category are those  of immediate concern where there is a serious armed threat.

Just one day before  the campaign period, another barangay council  candidate  in Barangay Bangbangcag was gunned down by a riding-in-tandem .

Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Mae Richelle Belmes said that there is a petition submitted to the COMELEC for the declaration of Bucay under COMELEC control.(JDP/CAGT-PIA CAR, Abra)