By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

After a campaign convoy was ambushed, leaving two dead, along with an ongoing New People’s Army presence, the Regional Joint Security Control Center recently signed a resolution recommending Commission on Elections (Comelec) control over Moises Padilla.

According to Police Regional Office-6 spokesperson, Police Lt. Colonel Joem Malong, recent incidents are indicative of a “danger to the peaceful conduct of the 2019 midterm elections.”

Under the resolution, Comelec control would be overseen by the Moises Padilla Task Force, which would be composed of representatives from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Comelec itself.

If Comelec control is approved, the entire Moises Padilla police force would be reshuffled and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) would be look into the existence of private armed groups. They would also work to prevent or suppress acts of terrorism.

DILG would also be given authority to appoint any local government official as officer-in-charge./DGB, WDJ