Comelec: Placing Cagayan under control premature

Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Erwin Garcia stated that placing Cagayan under Comelec control is premature, despite the killing of Rizal, Cagayan Mayor Joel Ruma during a campaign sortie.

Garcia mentioned that they are awaiting an official report from the Philippine National Police (PNP) to determine if Cagayan's security category needs to be elevated from "orange" to "red" or if additional security forces are required.

The Comelec chief emphasized that any decision regarding placing the province under Comelec control is premature at this point.

Mayor Ruma was shot during a campaign event and sustained fatal gunshot wounds, later being declared dead on arrival at the Tuao District Hospital.

Two other individuals were also injured in the shooting incident and are in stable condition.

The suspected shooter remains at large, prompting authorities to set up high-risk checkpoints and conduct hot pursuit operations.

The poll body has already declared two areas in the country under its control: Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur, and Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte, ahead of the May 12 polls due to reported incidents of violence in the towns.