LGUs watchlist inclusion draws mixed reactions

CEBU, Philippines —  Officials of Cebu City have mixed reactions to the inclusion of the city on the Elections Watchlist Areas (EWAS) in the 2019 midterm elections.

Cebu City was among the 29 cities and municipalities in Central Visayas that the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have identified.

The city was classified as yellow which means there’s an intense political rivalry here.

Councilor Joel Garganera welcomed the decision of the regional joint security committee, acknowledging the need for the city to be given attention with the political rivalry here.

“Considering nga grabe ang init sa pulitika, it is just proper nga tutukan nga para di moabot diha sa rivarly. Maayo pod ni para magmatngon ang tanan nga dili magpalabi,” he said.

Garganera said the fight against illegal drugs have been successful also, which would mean that drug money will be used to support narco-politicians.

Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos, for her part, said the classification for the city is “unnecessary and baseless” as of now.

“While it may seem that there is intense political rivalry, as has always been in the case here, for as long as it does not escalate into wanton violence, terrorism and chaos which will prevent the voters from truly expressing their sentiments, I see no need for it,” she said, adding that isolated incidents should not warrant the inclusion of the city in the EWAS.

“If you look at our history, more particularly in our electoral processes, even how intense and heated the campaign gets, we have never been involved in any widespread violence or physical disturbance. As I said, there may be isolated cases just like in any other cities but there is really no basis for it..Putting us under the watchlist would only give the impression that we have that situation here when in fact, there is none whatsoever,” she added.

Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing, for his part, said he welcomes the inclusion of Mandaue City in the EWAS.

"Given the events of the previous months and the revelations in the City Council yesterday (Thursday) about the presence of organized groups and drug syndicates as well as politicians allegedly protecting them, I welcome Mandaue’s inclusion," he said.

"Hopefully this will discourage these groups and narcopoliticians from attempting to subvert the will of the people," Quisumbing added.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza said she is not against the inclusion of Lapu-Lapu in the EWAS.

“Medyo nag-wonder ang ko gamay ngano karon naapil mi.  In fact, Lapu-Lapu City is always peaceful during election day.  But, if the reason is for the people’s safety and security, we just have to follow with the due process of their operations,” Radaza said.

Sought for comment, Comelec-Cebu City North District Election Officer Michael Sarno said the classification only means that the city is given preferable attention because of political rivalry.

“Mind you, it doesn’t mean nga nagkagubot ta. Gihatagan lang og preferable attention,” he said.

He could not recall when was the time Cebu City was included on the watchlist in the previous elections.

Sarno assured the classification will not have negative impact, adding that it will not have any change of security plans since the elections is still over five months away from now.

Provincial Election Officer Lionel Marco Castillano said the number of areas included in EWAS might change depending on the future monitoring of the law enforcers.

The towns of Tuburan, San Fernando and Ronda are included on the list of 29 areas concern identified in Central Visayas.

"Monthly naman ni mag-meeting ani, pwede pa na sya (ang election watchlist area) madugangan, pwde makuhaan," Castillano said.

The election officers will also be monitoring their areas of jurisdiction regarding the security situation as they will also be submitting their peace and order report before the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor (OPES) every month.

Castillano said the EWAS will be the basis of the Comelec, AFP and PNP on their security plan for the upcoming election. — Christell Fatima M. Tudtud, Le Phyllis F. Antojado, GAN (FREEMAN)