‘Poll-related violence in Mindanao increasing’

MANILA, Philippines — As the May 12 elections approach, poll-related violence in some parts of Mindanao appears to be increasing, according to the Commission on Elections.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said yesterday that security is among the major issues the poll body faces during elections.

“The Comelec and the Philippine National Police will meet and discuss matters pertaining to cases of poll-related violence that have been monitored in some areas in Mindanao,” Garcia said.

He said the Comelec and the PNP may need to adjust the alert classification, not only in some areas in Mindanao but also in other parts of the country.

Garca said there is a possibility that more areas would be placed under the “red category” to enable the Comelec to swiftly respond to cases of poll-related violence.

He said the poll body is implementing contingency measures in areas where teachers may refuse to serve as members of the board of election inspectors due to violent incidents.

Garcia cited the attack on Vice Mayor Omas Samama of Datu Piang in Maguindanao del Sur, which he said may compel election officials to place the municipality under the control of the Comelec.

Although the attack is still being investigated, Garcia said the Comelec is considering it as an election-related incident as Samama is a mayoralty candidate.

Samama was delivering a speech during a humanitarian mission in Barangay Magaslong when he was shot. He is a member of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party led by Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim.

BARMM polls security beefed up

Meanwhile, the PNP is intensifying security preparations for the conduct of the first parliamentary election in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Oct. 13.

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil on Monday met with security officials and political leaders in the BARMM to discuss measures aimed at ensuring clean, honest and orderly elections.

“We are committed to working with our security forces, government agencies and political leaders to uphold peace and order during elections,” Marbil said in a statement.

Aside from Marbil, officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine Coast Guard attended the inter-agency security cluster meeting.

The BARMM parliamentary election has been postponed from May 12 to Oct. 13, to allow the Comelec and law enforcement agencies to better prepare and manage their resources.

Marbil said the PNP and other security agencies are intensifying efforts to dismantle private armed groups, prevent vote buying and intimidation in the region.

He appealed for cooperation from BARMM politicians, saying peace and order is a collective responsibility.

“Let us set an example by rejecting violence and fostering issue-based campaigns that reflect the true will of the people,” he said.