By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC) was reactivated yesterday morning in preparation for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on October 30.

Officials from the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), and the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IBde) were among those who attended the PJSCC’s meeting.

NOCPPO director, Police Colonel Leo Pamittan said the Comelec, the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army will begin conducting checkpoints across the province starting Monday, August 28, to coincide with the start of certificates of candidacy (COCs) filing.

Pamittan said vehicles traveling between towns and cities in the province will be inspected.

He ordered police commanders to chase down motorists if they refuse to stop at Comelec checkpoints.

Meanwhile, 303IBde commander, Brigadier General Orlando Edralin said they have yet to receive reports regarding communist insurgents extorting money from local candidates, or the insurgents’ so-called “permit to campaign.”

Comelec-Negros Occidental elections supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria said everything is already set for the start of the election period on August 28.

Election officers in various local government units in the province are ready to accept COCs.

Ananoria said they are now waiting for the resolution from Comelec’s Task Force Kontra Bigay, which will be keeping an eye on incidents of vote-buying in the province./DGB, WDJ