Comelec 95 percent ready; more troops deployed

CEBU, Philippines — Less than a week before the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election (BSKE), preparations are in place and the Commission on Elections has stated that it is 95 percent ready.

Yesterday, October 23, a ceremony was held at SRP World, Citi Di Mare, at the South Road Properties where nearly 2,000 personnel from various units of the Police Regional Office-7 (PRO), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), were sent off to their respective assignments. The National Grid Corporation (NGCP), Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRMO) and Department of Education (DepEd) were also involved.

The troops are headed to different locations in the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and Negros Oriental, as additional support to the 12,000 troops who have already been deployed earlier to their assignments.

During the ceremony, an interfaith prayer was held and a blessing of the troops. Their equipment, which was also turned over yesterday that included vests, weapons, ammunition and others, were also blessed.

The event was attended by the officials of the agencies led by Commission on Elections Regional Director Atty. Lionel Marco Castillano, who shared they are 95 percent ready.

Castillano explained that the remaining five percent is on the deployment of teachers with the election paraphernalia and their security escorts on Election Day.

Further, the NGCP has ensured that there will be no power interruptions in the upcoming election, but they are prepared for possible events.

Further, the Department of Education said that their teachers are ready to serve in the election.

Teachers and support staff training

At least 6,000 teachers and other support staff underwent training as members of the Electoral Board for the BSKE.

The training, which started Friday and ended yesterday, included how to serve Persons Deprived with Liberty (PDL) during the election.

Attorney Marchel Sarno, Election Officer IV of Cebu City North District, told the media that for this year, there are 978 PDL voters from south of Cebu City, while 852 are from the north of Cebu City, totaling to 1,830 PDL registered voters.

According to Sarno, the training for the PDL electoral board is different from those serving in the precincts.

“Magkaiba kasi yung PDL support staff, kukunin pa yung balota sa precincts and then dadalhin pa sa jail facility, before sa end sa botohan, ibabalik na naman sa precinct kung saan nanggaling yung balota,” said Sarno. “Iba yung sa Regular Electoral Board kasi doon lang naman sila sa precincts,” he added.

Sarno, however, said that since in every election, the same members of the electoral board are serving, the training will only serve as ‘refresher’ translating a smoother flow of the training.

Warning to erring candidates

Comelec and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) are warning candidates of the BSKE on the possibility of not being proclaimed if they win but they have unresolved complaints against them.

“Nagbabala na ang Comelec na kahit nanalo ang isang kandidato sa bilangan ay maaring hindi iproklama hangga't hindi nareresolba ang reklamong inihain laban sa kanya,” said DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos, as he stressed their support to Comelec, which has stressed on its fight for a peaceful election.

“Kaya kahit manalo kayo, basta’t ipinag-utos ng Comelec na pababain kayo, I will make sure na kayo ay matatanggal sa inyong puwesto. Gagawin natin ito upang mapanatili ang integridad ng halalan. Let us give the voters the respect they deserve,” said Abalos in a statement.

Comelec-7 spokesperson Omar Sharif Mamalinta said under the Kontra Bigay guidelines, they are in partnership with various government agencies to prosecute cases involving vote-buying and vote-selling.

He said it also covers prosecution of candidates who commit unlawful election propaganda like oversized posters or posters displayed outside common poster areas.

“DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos' statement is true and we continue to monitor all these illegal campaign sorts to ensure an honest, orderly, peaceful, credible, safe and inclusive elections,” said Mamalinta when sought for comment.

He added that on their initial Operation Baklas roving in Carcar City as well in other cities and municipalities in Cebu province, there were some who violated the rules like posting election propaganda on trees and electric posts and those were taken out. Notices were likewise sent to those violators who in turn should act on it within 72 hours.

Negros Oriental under comelec control

The whole Province of Negros Oriental is now under Comelec control, as confirmed by Comelec-7 director Castillano. Castillano said that Comelec en banc has approved the operational plan for COMELEC Control in Negros Oriental.

It is stated in the operational plan of Comelec that it can use all government resources national or local, which Castillano described as very important since more forces of the AFP and PNP will be needed to cover Negros Oriental. This means more resources is needed for the additional coverage, including for transportation.

In fact, PRO-7 will be sending an additional 400 troops to the Province, although they have clarified that they have not seen any imminent threat in the region.

“All indicators suggest that we will have a safe and secure election in Negros Oriental, ang gusto lang nato naa tay pwersa didto daan para ang katong mga criminal elements would be planning they will be deterred as early as now, ”said Police Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office-7.

Command centers

Part of the facilities turned over yesterday as one of the Command Centers for the BSKE is at the Cebu Police Provincial Office.

According to Police Colonel Percival Zorilla, Provincial Director of the Cebu Police Provincial Office, the Command Center will be the center of communication and coordination of all government agencies during the BSKE.

“Mao nang naa tay small conference room para diri mi magtapok para dali ang coordination and then we can put other personnel from different agencies nga ilahang ipadala diri para mag monitor sad,” said Col. Zorilla. — (FREEMAN)