The Philippine Online Chronicles

The Commission on Elections decided to push through with Zambales’ special congressional elections on Saturday amid a shooting incident between the police and a group allegedly harassing voters in the area.

A man named Cesar Mado was killed as his group exchanged fire with the law enforcers. According to reports, it was Mado, who also had a warrant for a drug-related case, who first drew his firearm and fired at the police.

The special elections started at 7 a.m. today. Comelec aims to find a replacement for second district Rep. Antonio Diaz who died in August last year at the age of 83, due to multiple organ failure caused by sepsis and pneumonia.

Those vying for the position are Atty. Cheryl Deloso-Montalla of the Liberal Party, Jun Omar Ebdane of Partido ng Manggagawa at Magsasaka, independent candidates Alfred Mendoza, Wilfredo Paul Pangan and Rep. Diaz’s daughter Rica Diaz-Arambulo.

Comelec is already seeking an investigation. Another report said Mado and the others involved in the shooting were Deloso-Montalla’s supporters.

According to Philippine Star Online, Mado is supposedly a part of former governor Amor Deloso’s  security team. He is also a suspect in the killing of a certain Steve Lee.

The group allegedly refused a police search, amid the election gun ban, as they passed a checkpoint at around 8 p.m. on Friday. Around eleven people were wounded in the encounter.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said the Deloso camp claimed that they were ambushed by the policemen. The group will, however, be subject to inquest proceedings.

Meanwhile, Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said he won’t be involved in the investigation since his son is a candidate in the said elections.

“This is a police matter, I leave it to the police to investigate it,” he said.

Earlier, President Benigno Aquino III declared Saturday as a special non-working holiday for the province of Zambales.

More than 200,000 residents were expected to have participated in the special polls while at least 1,000 watchers were reportedly deployed by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).