The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Dumaguete City has announced that voting in areas of Negros Oriental affected by the recent clashes between rebels and government troops will push through as scheduled on May 12.

Comelec-Negros Island Region (NIR) Regional Executive Director Lionel Marco Castillano said the armed encounters between the communist terrorist groups in Guihulngan City and Kabankalan town in Negros Occidental were part of the proactive measures implemented by the Philippine Army.

“The Army and police have intensified their operations to ensure the rebels would not disturb the peace and order situation,” Castillano said.

He said there were no voting centers affected by the incidents.

The series of anti-insurgency measures conducted by the Philippine Army aims to assure the residents in the mountain barangays in the province that the people can freely vote on election day, said Castillano.

Police forces have been regularly conducting simultaneous anti-criminality law enforcement operations (SACLEO) in the province through the imposition of a gun ban and search warrants.

The Comelec has also asked the police to intensify the conduct of checkpoints every hour in the towns and cities.

“So far, we have not monitored any private armed groups here, and this is an assurance to the people that the PNP and Philippine Army are on top of the situation, and that the people are free to vote in this election,” Castillano assured.

The Comelec official said the Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region has started deploying personnel to secure the May 12 midterm elections across the region.

Over 2,000 security forces have been deployed to Negros Occidental and more than 1,800 for Negros Oriental.

Some 1,000 military personnel will also be deployed in the province to cover the mountain barangays in the towns and cities.

“Even though we did not declare Comelec control in the province, we have not lowered our guard,” Castillano said. (PIA-7 Negros Oriental)