THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday said it is prepared to deploy policemen to serve as members of the Electoral Boards (EBs) in Maguindanao del Sur during the conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on October 30 this year.
In an interview, Comelec chairman George Garcia said they are now discussing request of the Maguindanao del Sur Peace and Order Council. “We are preparing PNP personnel just in case,” he said.
“Even without a request, we will utilize the PNP personnel as the need arises,” he added.
In a resolution, the Maguindanao del Sur Peace and Order Council asked that the Comelec and PNP to consider deploying policemen as EB members in the October 30 polls in the towns of Pagalungan, Rajah Buayan, Datu Paglas, Pandag, Datu Piang, Sultan sa Barongis, Datu Salibo, and Buluan.
The Election Service Reform Act provides that in case “there are no qualified voters willing to serve, uniformed personnel of the Philippine National Police shall be deputized to render election service.”
Aside from Maguindanao del Sur, the poll chief said they have also decided to prepare for the possible deployment of PNP personnel to Taguig City in relation to the continuing territorial dispute between Taguig and Makati cities involving 10 barangays.
In a related development, Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco said the poll body has yet to officially place Malabang, Lanao del Sur and Libon, Albay under Comelec control.
“If an area has very high tension and is classified under Red Category, the Comelec won’t hesitate to place it under Comelec Control if necessary,” said Laudiangco.
“It will also depend on the recommendations of the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns (CBFSC) if we will place them under Comelec Control,” he added.
Last month, Garcia said they are considering placing Libon, Albay under Comelec control after a candidate for barangay chairman and an incumbent barangay kagawad in the same barangay were slain just a week apart.
Subsequently, Garcia said they may also declare Malabang, Lanao del Sur under Comelec Control due to the reported shooting incident there.
Under Comelec rules, any political division, subdivision, unit, or area may be placed under Comelec Control when the peace and order situation in the area may affect the conduct of elections.
