MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is ready to place the town of Socorro in Surigao del Norte under its control to ensure that the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) will be peaceful and orderly.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said that at the moment, there are no activities that could affect the conduct of the elections in Socorro.
“But anytime meron pagkilos at pagbabago doon sa sitwasyon sa lugar (a movement or change in the situation will occur in the area), the Comelec will have the final say on that place during the elections,” Garcia said.
He gave assurance that the Comelec would take all the necessary steps to ensure that no candidate in Socorro would be prevented from campaigning.
Garcia said the Comelec has committed to “attain a no failure of elections” during the BSKE.
Comelec spokesman Rex Laudiangco said the poll body was waiting for reports from their partner agencies concerning the situation in Socorro.
“At the moment, the Comelec has yet to make a formal declaration regarding Socorro. Results of the assessments by the Armed Forces, Philippine National Police and Philippine Coast Guard on the area have just started coming in,” Laudiangco said.
He said the Comelec, in coordination with its partner agencies, have set up checkpoints to enforce election prohibitions and policies.
Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said the Senate inquiry into the abuses allegedly committed by a “cult” in Socorro has prevented a possible humanitarian crisis.
Hontiveros thanked Surigao del Norte Gov. Lyndon Barbers and other national and local government agencies for looking into the people involved in the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI).
She expressed belief that other SBSI members would soon come out to tell the truth.