Policemen suspects in deadly blaze

Manila: Two policemen and three of their co-officers are under investigation in connection with the May 15 election day fire that killed a school teacher and a volunteer poll watcher in Taysan Batangas province.

Philippine National Police (PNP) officials said police commandos under the Regional Special Operations Group IV-A - Inspector Roberto Miranda, and his assistant, Police Officer second class William Relos, Jr - have been put under preventive custody after they were suspected of direct involvement in the burning of the Pinagbayanan Elementary School in the town of Taysan, some 70 kilometres south of Manila.

The school building had served as a venue where teachers deputised as election administrators used it for counting the election ballots.

"They [the policemen] are now being held under preventive suspension until results of our investigation show that they had nothing to do with the fire," a police official, who requested anonymity, said.

Restrictive custody

Aside from the suspension of Miranda and Relos, Superintendent Roger James Brillantes, RSOG IV-A commander, was relieved of his duties as a result of the incident.

Taysan municipal police commander, Chief Inspector Elpidio Ramirez, and his deputy, Inspector Ruel dela Cruz, were also placed under restrictive custody for possible administrative lapses in securing the school building.

The fire, which occurred while school teacher Nellie Banaag and a poll watcher identified as Leticia Ramos were going over the election returns at the end of the voting day, prompted President Gloria Arroyo to order an investigation into the incident.

The possible involvement of a local mayoralty candidate is also being looked into.

The incident demonstrates the hazards local poll administrators and politicians face during elections. So far this year, election-related violence has accounted for more than 60 deaths. And the death toll continues to rise several days after the polls ended.

Last Friday Arroyo visited relatives of the victims to offer her condolences. During her visit, the president proceeded to the half-burned school building and met the principal and teachers of the school.