By JEN BAYLON
At least 763 police officers will be deployed to secure the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) in Negros Occidental from October 1 to 8, for the 2025 midterm elections.
Colonel Rainerio de Chavez, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) director, said police assistance desks will be established in city and municipal election offices in 31 local government units to ensure the safety of filers and the public.
However, De Chavez acknowledged that ensuring the peace and safety of the filing venues and election aspirants is a significant challenge.
He noted that for now there are no reported security threats ahead of the COC filing.
De Chavez also appealed to candidates’ supporters to follow police protocols to avoid disruptions or traffic congestion at filing venues.
The NOCPPO director further instructed police chiefs to assess candidates after they have filed their COCs if there are any threats against them.
This will allow the police force to take preventive measures and avoid any potential incidents during the start of the election season, De Chavez said.
Earlier, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Occidental expressed readiness for the upcoming COC filing.
Provincial election supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria said the filing venue will be at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall.
Comelec-NegOcc will accept COCs for provincial positions of governor, vice governor, board members, Sangguniang Panlalawigan members, and legislative district representatives, Ananoria said.
The office will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, including Saturdays and Sundays.
Local Comelec offices will accept COCs for positions in local government units.
Ananoria said election aspirants should prepare five copies of their duly notarized COCs.
Candidates also need to bring their certified and original copies of the certificate of nomination from their party if they are not independent candidates.
An election aspirant’s duly authorized representative is also allowed to file the COC, but it needs to have a valid reason, Ananoria said.
Candidates’ supporters are also allowed to enter the Comelec premises during the COC filings for as long as it does not disturb the proceedings inside the offices, he added.
Non-partisan stance
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO-6) reminded police officers in the region to maintain their non-partisan stance during the upcoming midterm elections.
PRO-6 director, Brigadier General Jack Wanky, in a command conference at Camp Delgado in Iloilo City last week, instructed provincial and city police directors to coordinate with election officers and supervisors for the proper deployment of police personnel in various areas during the election period.
Wanky emphasized that while they will focus on election-related duties, their ongoing anti-criminality and anti-illegal drug campaigns should not be neglected./JB, WDJ