| BASCO, Batanes - Carlo D. Diasnes, a native-born Ivatan and an Ivatan-Californian that spent his early years in the islands (he graduated valedictorian at the Batanes National High School) won the congressional seat for the lone district of Batanes. In the gubernatorial race, Puro Castillejos reclaimed his former position as local chief executive. The Batanes 2007 Elections The Province - Other victors at the mayoralty level include Narag of Basco, Gonzales of Itbayat, Elizondo of Ivana, Babalo of Sabtang, Doplito of Uyugan. Also victorious and re-elected was Poncio of Mahatao. According to reliable sources, the water system of Basco is a top priority for Congressman Diasnes, Governor Castillejos and Mayor Narag. The Capital - Source: Comelec Batanes _________________________ Note: For 10 days this month we were in Batanes to attend to some personal matters (estate taxes, etc.) after the passing of our father in April 26, 2005. We were there mainly for that personal reason and to thank those who condoled with us even in our absence 2 years ago - and as we thought prior to the trip - it doesn't hurt to be entertained on the side by the May elections. Entertained it wasn't meant to be because of that most unIvatan incident that occurred a couple of days before the elections. In the AM of May 12 as we were about to travel south, I noticed some people milling around a vehicle at the C4C headquarters in Basco. I stepped down to see what's happening and I saw a vehicle with shattered window. Except for that, not much info could be taken because it was under investigation, but I asked the police officer at the scene if I could take a picture, and he said I must have the permission of the owner. So I left. There has been claims and counter-claims, but the fact is that never in the history of our peaceful province has a shot or shots been fired in an elections, not even in the elections marred by the Suzuki Boys many years back. And just 3 years ago in the 2004 elections, I wrote and I quote: The conduct of the elections in the island province was civilized and peaceful, and it showed once again that in the stages of evolution which is measured in thousands of years, the Ivatans are at a more advanced stage: A Breed Apart! . . . - vbc, May 2004 Today, I could not write that anymore. I'm not so sure anymore whether in fact we're at a more advanced stage, but this I'm certain knowing the Ivatans and the Ivatan electorate: The Ivatan people will not tolerate such unIvatan incidents that diminish and/or degrade them and their province down to the level of other places. We all know that violence begets violence, and that if one group or groups can cut the other, there's no reason why the other group or groups cannot respond in kind. Put simply, a cycle of violence! No winners, but only losers here - all of us! Now, as peace-loving Ivatans, may our leaders regardless of affiliation open up to what's at stake: a peaceful province that we shall proudly bequeath to future generations of Ivatans! - vbyssey, May 2007 _______________________________________________________________________ |
| MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE 3) Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Oscar Calderon has relieved the provincial police director of Batanes province following an ambush there that left a congressional candidate wounded. Senior Superintendent Rolando Macusi will be replaced by Senior Superintendent Rolando Duran in an acting capacity, said police deputy spokesman Chief Inspector NelvinRicohermoso. Carlo Diasnes, a physician, was reportedly ambushed in Manatao village, in the provincial capital of Basco at 1 a.m. Saturday, said Chief Superintendent AmetoTolentino, Cagayan Valley region police chief. Diasnes is running under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Kampi (KabalikatngMalayang Pilipino or Partner of the Free Filipino) party. He is running against Governor Vicente Gato, who is seeking a third and final term (?), Tolentino said. However, former Batanes representative Florencio Abad said Diasnes faked the ambush to force authorities to relieve Macusi. "That is really a staged assassination attempt. He wants a police chief who is more sympathetic to him," Abad said in a phone interview. Abad claimed Diasnes did not go to the hospital after the alleged incident and did not have it recorded on the police blotter. He also noted that Interior Secretary RonaldoPuno is Kampi party president. The interior department, through the National Police Commission, has operational control over the PNP. Asked if he thought Puno had a hand in Macusi's relief, Abad said: "That would seem to be the logical conclusion." Abad said Batanes Bishop Camilo Gregorio of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) also believed that the ambush was staged. Abad forwarded a text message from Gregorio that read: "Our PPCRV here headed by Father Richard Castillo will rectify the false news. Indeed, an electoral gimmick which has become a subject of laughter around here. It is boomeranging on the supposed victim." In Batanes, Diasnes, in text messages sent to the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net), said he did not report the incident to the police, claiming that Macusi was "biased" against him. Diasnes claimed that he himself treated his bullet wounds. Batanes Bishop Camilo Gregorio told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that the facts surrounding the incident "did not point or give credence to an ambush." In an interview before Macusi's relief was announced, Calderon said a nine-millimeter pistol, a common service firearm of policemen, was used in the ambush. Tolentino said no arrests were made at the scene and no firearm were recovered, but the nine-millimeter service firearms of two policemen in the area have been subjected to ballistic tests. Originally posted 3:38pm; with reports from Villamor Visaya Jr. and Juliet Cataluña, Inquirer Northern Luzon, from Tuguegarao City |
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| Diasnes wins Narag wins in Basco ___________________ |
| 15 May 2007 TUT |
| (UPDATE 3) Batanes cop chief sacked over candidate 'ambush' But former solon says incident 'fake' ___________________ |
| Last updated 08:31pm (Mla time) 05/13/2007 By Joel Guinto INQUIRER.net, Northern Luzon Bureau |
| BATANES 4430 3454 4893 3076 |
| Basco 1817 1404 2112 1202 |
| Itbayat 665 807 686 767 |
| Ivana 364 313 395 285 |
| Mahatao 630 246 636 242 |
| Sabtang 525 345 578 299 |
| Uyugan 429 339 486 281 |
| Chanarian- Tukon 96 83 29 |
| Kaycha- narianan 199 276 145 |
| Kay- huvokan 226 326 108 |
| Kay- valuganan 241 405 181 |
| San Antonio 101 437 241 |
| San Joaquin 37 107 40 |
| BASCO 900 1634 744 |
Representative - Diasnes Gato Governor - Castillejos Viola |
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| Mayor - Castillejos Narag Santana |
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