Meanwhile, Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who chairs the Committee, urged Comelec to put Negros Oriental under its control during the BSKE.

He told Garcia that “we know that effective October 8, all the resources of government offices and their services are at your disposal during the election period.”

Thus, he encouraged the Comelec chief to “do everything you can do to ensure the safety of all the people in Negros Oriental.”

“I’m sure the security forces will support you on this. I myself, being the chairman of the Committee, hearing all the testimonies of our resource persons, I’m inclined to recommend the Comelec [to] place Negros Oriental under your control. For me, it is for you to decide. [But] I’m just recommending to you to please put Negros Oriental under Comelec control to see to it that no one will be killed anymore,” he said.

Dela Rosa made the call as Garcia was asked if the current situation in the province qualifies for a military takeover during the BSKE.

Garcia said the poll body has the power to place a certain area under Comelec control provided that there is a serious concern monitored during the election period.

He then assured Padilla that Comelec would exert all efforts to prioritize the safety of the province should the security forces recommend placing it under their control.

“We will hold a command conference with the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] and PNP [Philippine National Police] and we will definitely insist that as far as the issue of Negros is concerned, maybe we can get proper guidance,” he said.

He added that “the Comelec will definitely abide by the recommendation of our security forces. But, at this point, we don’t have the power to place any part of the country under Comelec control until the filing of candidacy on August 28.” (PNA)