San Fernando Mayor Lakambini “Neneth” Reluya arrives at the town’s gymnasium for the start of her party’s campaign kickoff. |Tonee Despojo
SAN FERNANDO, Cebu, Philippines — Police beefed up the security inside the San Fernando gym during the campaign forum of the local candidates of San Fernando town, who are allied with Mayor Lakambini “Neneth” Reluya of the Alayon Party.
Tight security was implemented as hundreds of supporters entered the gym to attend the Reluya Team’s campaign kickoff.
PO2 Philip James Tanzo, team leader of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion securing the area, assured those present at the gym that they were 100 percent safe.
Tanzo led 12 police officers from the RFMB assigned to secure the event and they were backed by seven police officers from the San Fernando Police Station.
Tanzo and his team were assigned to secure the event especially since Mayor Lakambini Reluya survived an ambush in January.
Read more: Police to file charges against suspects in Reluya ambush
The ambush in Talisay City claimed the lives of two of Mayor Reluya’s supporters and that of her husband and runningmate, the late Councilor Ricardo “Nonoy” Reluya Jr., who was then the town’s Association of Barangay Councils chairperson.
Aside from that a few town councilors were also killed by motorcycle-riding assailants.
Read more: Mayor Reluya speaks out, calls husband’s ambush-slay a ‘barbaric act’ and vows she will not be cowed
The opening salvo of the campaign period for Mayor Reluya’s slate started in the afternoon of March 29.
Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas Sr., who is running for a seat in Congress, Yolly Daan and Raul Bacaltos, who are both running for Provincial Board Member in the 1st district also attended the candidates forum at the San Fernando Gym.
Read more: Talisay Mayor Gullas seeking to close his political career as congressman
Eight candidates for councilor under Team Reluya namely Rely Enad, Vidala Loguiber, PJ Medalla, Juvy Crociano, Joy Resogento, Hannah Salcedo and Ranie Medicielo delivered their campaign speeches during the forum.
In the latter part of the event, Senatorial candidate Bong Revilla and Gubenatorial candidate Gwendolyn Garcia arrived with a warm welcome from the crowd.
Also, supporters from various women and youth associations, students and barangay officials have attended the forum.
Here are some scenes at Mayor Reluya’s party’s forum at the San Fernando gym on March 29.
Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas Sr. arrives at the San Fernando Gym, where a candidates’ forum of Mayor Lakambini Reluya’s slate will be held. |Tonee Despojo
Security at Mayor Lakambini Reluya’s campaign activity at the San Fernando town gym |Tonee Despojo
Police officers secure the public and enforced strict security measures for those who would join the festivities.|Tonee Despojo
Mayor Lakambini Reluya’s campaign activities start with a Mass held at the gym. |Tonee Despojo
Mayor Lakambini “Neneth” Reluya announces during the Alayon party’s that her running mate for the elections is her son. |Tonee Despojo \dbs