Army soldiers deployed in Sicogon Island

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 27): Army soldiers deployed in Sicogon Island
 
Some 80 members of the Philippine Army has been deployed in Sicogon Island off Carles, Iloilo to maintain peace and order in Monday's barangay polls.

The development of army soldiers in Sicogon Island was made based on the request of Carles Election officer Cirilo Zerrudo due to the prevailing tense atmosphere in the island.

Iloilo Provincial Commission on Elections (Comelec) Supervisor Atty. Elizabeth Doronila said the presence of army soldiers in the island does not mean that the three barangays in Sicogon Island are under Comelec control.

Sicogon Island is composed of barangays Alipata, Buaya and San Fernando.

Earlier, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor also ordered the deployment of police force coming from the Iloilo Police Provincial Office to maintain peace and order situation in the island.

He said the police officers will remain on standby as long as the volatile situation continue to persist.

The deployment of police personnel came after armed men reported to be henchmen of the Sarrosa clan harassed families living in affected villages in barangays San Fernando, Alipata and Buaya who will be displaced by the multi-billion development project to be undertaken by the Sicogon Development Corporation in the island.

It was learned that the Sarrosa family owns vast tracts of land in affected villages in the three barangays.

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