Fourth district Board Member raises safety concerns
Rolando “Pol” D. Balingit, the Fourth district Board Member, voiced fear for his personal safety after an alleged harassment incident involving a fellow party member on Tuesday afternoon. The incident took place around 5:20 p.m. outside his home in Barangay San Roque while he was meeting with 15 persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Incident with Macabebe Councilor sparks alarm
Balingit claimed that incumbent Macabebe Councilor Albert “Uncle Bet” Flores, accompanied by several men, arrived and accused him of vote buying. Both belong to the same political team, yet Flores confronted Balingit aggressively. During their exchange, Flores reportedly said, “Dadamputin ka ng CIDG pero hindi ka naman papatayin, kukunin ka lang. Nag-usap na kami ni Cong Bar at wag na wag kang lalabas ng bahay mo at popostehan kita.”
Understanding the political players involved
Balingit clarified that “Cong Bar” refers to Patrol Partylist Representative Jorge Bustos, who is running against Fourth District Representative Anna York Bondoc. Balingit has been a long-time ally of Bondoc, while Flores supports Bustos.
Immediate response and calls for protection
Feeling threatened, Balingit locked his main gate and closed his front door, noting that his children were visibly scared during the incident. He promptly requested assistance from local authorities. Major Glenn Santelices, Macabebe’s police chief, reportedly responded to the call.
Following this confrontation, Balingit urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to place parts of the Fourth district under its control to protect voters and prevent further harassment. This comes after Comelec denied a similar appeal from Bondoc, citing no imminent threats based on their Regional Joint Safety Control Center’s assessment.
Political tension in the Fourth district grows
Balingit described recent occurrences as a “disturbing” rise in political tension. He expressed hope that Comelec would heed Bondoc’s earlier request to ease the fear among constituents so they can safely participate in the upcoming elections. “Sana mapagbigyan ang panawagan ni Congresswoman Bondoc para ma-lessen ang takot ng ating mga kababayan at para po sila ay makalabas sa panahon ng botohan kasi kapag may takot ang mamamayan, baka hindi sila bumoto,” he added.