PILAR, Abra and the province of Misamis Occidental has been placed under Commission on Elections’ control ahead of May 9 polls due to security reasons.
Comelec Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan on Wednesday said the decision was prompted by the recommendation of the Regional Joint Security Control Center of Region X composed of Regional Election Director Francisco Pobe, Major General Wilbur Mamawag of the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) and Major General Generoso Ponio, commander of the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division (1ID).
“In line with the security and safety concerns in this elections…the Committee on Ban of Firearms and Security Concerns has placed the province of Misamis Occidental under Comelec Control,” Pangarungan said.
“On the other hand, upon the recommendation of CAR Regional Election Director Ederlino Tabilas and the petition of Mayor Maro Somera on the urgent need to place Pilar, Abra under Comelec Control, I have affirmatively acted as well,” he added.
Pangarungan mentioned that these areas have been riddled with election-related violence as the country is preparing for the May 9 elections.
“The COMELEC will not stand idly by while this is happening…The residents in areas under COMELEC Control should have no apprehension and fear in such a status as the declaration will ensure that there will be clean, honest, peaceful and orderly elections,” he said.
“My marching orders to all of you who are present today and those you represent are simple. Go back to basics. Uphold your basic duty, foremost of which is to serve the people. Be loyal to your constitutional mandate as you safeguard the sanctity of the ballot. Protect our polling places and the Board of Election Inspectors,” he added.
On Wednesday, PNP chief Police General Dionardo Carlos also has ordered the immediate relief of the entire personnel of Pilar, Abra municipal police station upon the Comelec recommendation.
“Sa Pilar, Abra, I just texted the regional director si (Police Brigadier) General Roland Lee that effective immediately we will remove all the Pilar, Abra MPS personnel and immediately be replaced. I will be seeing Ronald Lee this afternoon,” Carlos said during a joint press conference with Pangarungan in Camp Crame.
Earlier, the following towns of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur have been placed under Comelec control:
Maguindanao
Buluan
Datu Odin Sinsuat
Datu Piang
Mangudadatu
Pandag
Sultan Kudarat
Lanao del Sur
Marawi City
Maguing
Tuburan
Malabang
