More cops sent to Bangued

More policemen have been deployed in Bangued, Abra due to a brewing tension between the mayoral candidates.
The Abra Provincial Police Office (APPO) Dir. Col Maly Cula said he ordered the deployment of troops because of the tension between the group of Ryan Luna and Vice Mayor Mila Valera to avoid a clash that could lead to violence.
Luna, the former mayor of Bangued, and incumbent vice mayor Valera are both running for mayor of the capital town.
Valera is the wife of incumbent Mayor Dominic Valera who is running for governor. They are parents of the incumbent governor of Abra, Maria Jocelyn Valera Bernos.
Cula assured that the government security forces are already in control of the situation.
Mountain Province Election Supervisor Lawyer Richelle Belmes said in a social media post that Comelec Chair Saidamen Pangarungan was in Bangued for a peace covenant signing and a meeting with officials of the provincial police office.
Pangarungan was accompanied by Comelec-Cordillera officials. – PNA