ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Qualified citizens of the Philippines will once again get to exercise their right to suffrage as the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is set to hold a synchronized Barangay and SK Elections on October 25 this year by virtue of Republic Act 9340.
But here’s the caveat.
In a press statement, WESCOM Commander Major General Juancho M. Sabban warns that the terrorist/communist groups such as the New People’s Army (NPA) may take advantage of the exercise and see the election period as yet another opportunity for them to extort money from the people, especially from the candidates who will run in the upcoming elections, to fund their illegal activities.
MGen Sabban said NPAs are notorious for their extortion activities during election periods, unlawfully demanding money from candidates to be allowed to run or offering their criminal services to unscrupulous aspiring leaders.
However, MGen Sabban confidently assures the public that the Armed Forces of the Philippines particularly the Western Command, together with the Philippine National Police (PNP), will join the COMELEC in ensuring that, just like the first-ever automated National and Local Elections held only May this year, the upcoming barangay and SK elections will also be peaceful, honest, credible and orderly.
The WESCOM Commander said the Western Command is very much prepared to carry out its duties once deputized by the COMELEC for the Barangay and SK elections.
“Together with the agencies concerned, we will ensure that the coming election will be peaceful and safe and that no unlawful machination to create disruptions and bring disorder to the community will get past us,” MGen Sabban pronounced.
He urges the public to be vigilant and to report to the proper authorities any knowledge they may have regarding the illegal activities of these threat groups.
As one of the measures to ensure the peaceful conduct of the Barangay and SK election, the COMELEC will be implementing a total gun ban policy during the entire election period. The gun ban will be implemented starting September 25 and will be in effect until November 10 this year.
“We will assist the COMELC in implementing this policy to ensure the safety of the public during the election period,” MGen Sabban expressed, noting how successful the policy was in the most recent elections held in lowering down threats during the election period. (6CRGAFP/PIA9-BST)
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