SAN CARLOS CITY — Elections Commissioner Romeo Brawner, here today,Monday, for a personal assessment of the situation following the murder of Mayor Julian Resuello by two assassins last Saturday has approved the recommendation of the provincial elections supervisor to put San Carlos City under the control of the Commission on Elections

Brawner, in charge of Region 1 or the Ilocos for this election, appealed to all candidates to remain calm and not let passion or anger rule over their decisions. At the same time, he directed the Philippine National Police under Regional Police Director Leopoldo Bataoil to further augment its presence and state of alertness to prevent any further escalation of the tense situation.

A local government unit’s being declared under Comelec control, according to Provincial Elections Supervisor Reddy Balarbar means the Comelec, through a special task force that will be created, takes over administrative functions of the concerned LGU during the election period.

All exemptions from the gun ban previously issued by the poll body to civilians in the area are also deemed revoked and only uniformed personnel of the police and military can carry their guns around.

At the same time, Balarbar confirmed that he has already ordered thru a memorandum a swap of assignments between the current city elections officers of Dagupan and San Carlos City. Lawyer Remarque Ravanzo of Dagupan City will go to San Carlos while lawyer Vanessa Roncal of San carlos is reassigned to Dagupan.