Home 
POLICE in Carmen town, northern Cebu are still verifying the identities of armed men reportedly spotted in at least four mountain barangays.
Senior Insp. Carlos Reyes Jr., chief of Carmen police, said while the presence of the armed men was confirmed, they were not familiar to residents in barangays Cantubong, Cantumog, Timay-an and Poblacion.
Carmen town is located in mid-north which used to have rebels.
Reyes said he couldn't determine whether they are rebels since the military declared Cebu as insurgent-free early this month.
Reyes said while the armed men never harassed anyone, the residents were afraid of them and reported their presence to the police. He had yet to confirm whether these armed men were hired by any politician.
Carmen town had three candidates for mayor including incumbent Mayor Sonia Pua. Her challengers are vice-mayor Gerard Villamor and former mayor Ametis Batao./Correspondent Chito O. Aragon
