The proposal to postpone the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in Negros Oriental was supported by nine local chief executives in the province, stating concerns on security months after the attack in Pamplona town which killed Governor Roel Degamo and nine others.
Included in the signed manifesto were Degamo’s widow Mayor Janice Degamo of Pamplona, Siaton Mayor Fritz Diaz, Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Remollo, Dauin Mayor Galicano Truita, San Jose Mayor Mel Nick Logronio, Bindoy Mayor Eniego Jabagat, Ayungon Mayor Dennis Amancio, Guihulngan City Mayor Filomeno Reyes, and Tayasan Mayor Susano Ruperto.
The mayors cited a “deep-rooted fear” among residents of Negros Oriental after the Pamplona massacre.
“Postponing the elections will allow us to dismantle the culture of fear, instill confidence in the voters, and ensure a truly free and fair electoral environment,” they said in a statement yesterday, saying the fear was undermining the electoral process of the local polls in October.
The deferment would also allow the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and law-enforcement agencies an opportunity to “fully mobilize the full power of the national government,” to focus on strengthening security measures.
“This comprehensive approach will instill confidence in our constituents, ensuring they can exercise their fundamental right to vote without intimidation,” they said.
“By dedicating resources and expertise to reassess and fortify security protocols, we can effectively mitigate risks and create a safe and secure environment for candidates, voters and election personnel,” the statement read.
The officials also stated the “lingering atmosphere of terror” in Negros Oriental, caused by a string of harassment, killings and intimidation acts which hounded the province for years.
These were revealed during a Senate investigation into Degamo’s assassination in March, which prompted the senators to propose the postponement of barangay and SK polls in the province.
The Negros Oriental mayors claimed that “underlying fear” still persisted after the Pamplona massacre.
“The fear, though not only expressed, lingers within the hearts and minds of our constituents, making it challenging for them to exercise their democratic rights freely and without coercion,” their manifesto read.
The public hearings into the deferment, from June 27 to 29, will be an assessment of the violence in the province based on sentiments and suggestions from residents in every local government unit in Negros Oriental.
Comelec chairman George Garcia said the poll body’s decision on the possible postponement of local polls in the province may be revealed by September or October of this year./With reports from ABS-CBN News / WDJ