By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
The Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IBde) and the Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office (NOCPPO) issued warnings against criminals and individuals who intend to disrupt peace and order during the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) in the province.
Brigadier General Orlando Edralin, 303IBde commander, said the military had been issuing warnings against the insurgents even before the election period.
The 303IBde has not monitored any incidents involving the New People’s Army (NPA) preventing candidates from campaigning in the upland barangays.
Edralin also urges candidates to report such incidents to the Philippine Army.
On the part of the police, NOCPPO director, Colonel Leo Pamittan said the provincial police force is prepared for the elections.
Aside from checkpoints, police personnel will patrol the streets for possible incidents during the election period.
At least 51 barangays in Negros Occidental were considered election areas of concern.
Comelec to begin removing illegal campaign posters
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Occidental said yesterday morning that they will begin removing campaign posters displayed outside the designated common areas.
Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria, Comelec-NegOcc elections supervisor, said they will initiate the province-wide Operation: Baklas starting today.
Ananoria said BSKE candidates must strictly adhere to the Comelec rules and regulations regarding posting their campaign materials to avoid any potential problems.
He also revealed yesterday morning that the Comelec has issued five additional show-cause orders against BSKE candidates in Negros Occidental who have violated the Comelec’s premature campaigning policy, bringing the grand total to 149.
Ananoria also said they will issue separate show-cause orders against candidates who may post campaign materials outside designated poster areas.
BSKE candidates must also adhere to the size of their election materials, which includes billboards, posters and tarpaulins that exceed two by three feet.
Campaign materials should also not violate gender sensitivity principles, obscenity, discriminatory, offensive, or otherwise constitute a violation of the Magna Carta of Women.
Posters that do not bear the words “political advertisement paid for/by” or the words “printed free of charge” will be removed.
Furthermore, candidates are also prohibited from distributing giveaways, such as t-shirts, ballers, bags, caps, and other items.
Meanwhile, live streaming of the candidate’s platforms on social media will be considered a form of “e-rally,” which subjects it to the Comelec’s existing rules./DGB, WDJ