BAGUIO CITY – The political group Asenso, led by Abra Governor Dominic Valera and Vice Governor Joy Valera-Bernos, has asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to place the province under its control for the upcoming May 12 elections.
“By placing Abra under Comelec control, we feel more secured that our supporters can walk freely in a peaceful political environment without fear,” Bernos said in a statement submitted Monday.
She added that Comelec control would allow for the deployment of more personnel, improved monitoring systems, and stricter enforcement to prevent electoral fraud and violence.
The request comes amid a spate of killings and attacks in the province that began in August 2024, prompting the reactivation of Task Force Abra. According to the Abra Police Provincial Office, there have been 18 shootings resulting in 12 deaths and 18 injuries between January 12 and March 29. Four grenade-throwing incidents were also reported during the same period.
The Asenso group also claimed the police report does not include other threats, harassment, and intimidation experienced by their supporters.
The Concerned Citizens of Abra for Good Government, led by Catholic Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian, echoed the call for Comelec control to ease public fear over the violence.
Abra is currently divided between two major political camps — Asenso and the Progreso group, headed by La Paz Mayor Joseph Santo Niño Bernos, the Vice Governor’s brother-in-law.
