MANILA — The Commission on Elections on Tuesday said it placed Buluan town in Maguindanao del Sur under its control following a series of shooting incidents there.

The declaration means the poll body now has direct control over local officials and employees in Buluan as well as supervision over law enforcement agencies, including the military, in the municipality to prevent further violence in the area.

The Comelec, through its Resolution No. 11067, may gain control over any political division, subdivision, unit, or area due to threats such as violence that could disrupt the conduct of peaceful and credible elections.

The move will allow Comelec to address threats to public order and mitigate risks of violence or unrest by intensifying security measures which include heightened surveillance and increased police presence.

On Sunday afternoon, violence erupted in the neighboring town of Datu Anggal Midtimbang in Maguindanao del Sur where gunshots wounded a candidate for board member and his driver.

Earlier this month, the poll body placed Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao del Norte under its control after the ambush of its election officer Bai Maceda Lidasan-Abo and her husband Jojo in Barangay Makir.

TENSIONS RISE IN OTHER AREAS

Incidents of violence have also increased in other parts of the country believed to be related to the upcoming elections. 

Tensions in town and regional races are expected to intensify during the campaign period, Comelec chairman George Garcia said in late February as he expressed concern over election-related violence in Mindanao.

Last week, self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, who is running for mayor of Albuera, Leyte, was wounded in a shooting incident during a campaign sortie. 

Espinosa was waiting for his turn to speak when an unidentified gunman hiding in the ceiling of the stage shot him from behind, police said.

The violence did not prompt the Comelec to elevate Albuera to a "red" category for areas with concern.

Election-related violent incidents have also occurred in several areas in Abra since the election period began in January.

On April 7, a barangay chairperson and a municipal councilor died in a shooting incident in Lagangilang town. 

Comelec: PNP reactivates Task Force Abra for midterm polls

—with reports from Johnson Manabat, Bianca Dava, and Al Saludo, ABS-CBN News