PHVOTE 2013

MANILA, Philippines - Police confiscated a cache of high-powered ammunition from Liberal Party mayoral candidate Alfonso Del Rosario from his house in Buenavista town on Thursday, May 9.

Del Rosario was arrested for illegal possession of high-powered ammunition and is now in police custody.

According to PhilStar.com, the cache included 159 pieces of .60-caliber ammunition, 40 pieces of .30-caliber carbine ammunition, 22 pieces of .30-caliber ammunition, 181 pieces of 5.56-caliber ammunition, a flash suppressor, a long magazine of KG-9, a silencer for .45-caliber pistol and a .9mm bullet.

The 10-man police raid lasted from around 8:30 pm to 11:30 pm. It was headed by Inspector Ricardo Tiro, SPO1 Francisco Inot and PO3 Nelson Bajao.

Political killings?

Police obtained a search warrant issued by Executive Judge Suzeso Arcamo of Regional Trial Court-branch 47 in Tagbilaran City after the deaths of known supporters of Del Rosario’s political opponent, re-electionist Mayor Ronald Lowell Tirol of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

On May 4, CAFGU (Citizens' Armed Forces Geographical Unit ) member Ruel Torregosa was killed in an ambush near Del Rosario’s farm in Barangay Upper Cangawa. He was the son of Barangay Chairman Berto Torregosa, a known Tirol supporter.

The day before, former police officer Gregorio Jumao-as, another supporter of Tirol, was shot dead by 3 unidentified gunmen in Barangay Hinabonan, Buenavista.

In a press conference on May 7, Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) director Sr. Supt. Constantino Barot Jr. said that 6 towns have experienced a high number of election-related problems and should be the only election watchlist areas in Bohol.

Of these, the high-risk areas are Tagbilaran City and the towns of Danao, Trinidad, Carmen and Buenavista. - With reports from Pia Ranada/Rappler.com