Comelec to probe claims of partisan politics, harassment in Cebu City

AFP and PNP personnel gather in Camp Sergio Osmeña Sr. parade ground for the send off ceremony of the Midterm National and Local election 2019. Photo by Junjie Mendoza

CEBU CITY – Commission on Elections Regional Director Veronico Petalcorin has ordered an investigation on the claim by Mayor Tomas Osmeña that the police are being used in partisan politics in Cebu City.

On the other hand, Petalcorin said the same investigation is also looking into the claim of City Police Chief Royina Garma that the policemen were harassed by the mayor during checkpoint operations in the city.

During a joint Comelec-Police-Military briefing for Central Visayas today, May 9, Petalcorin said he had assigned a lawyer to look into the allegations hurled by the police and Osmeña.

Petalcornin said the Comelec was ready for the polls and that they were not expecting major glitches so far in the region.

He said intense political rivalry was expected in some of the areas, but Cebu City remained relatively peaceful.

At least 10,000 troops from the police, military, and Coast Guard will be deployed in Central Visayas for the May 13 elections.

In a send-off ceremony on Thursday morning, the personnel were instructed to remain neutral during the polls, to keep the peace and order in their assigned areas, and to watch out for election offenses.

An election regional command center has also been set up at Camp Sergio Osmena to prepare for the polls.

The entire region is under high alert status since Tuesday.

AFP and PNP personnel gather in Camp Sergio Osmeña Sr. parade ground for the send off ceremony of the Midterm National and Local election 2019. Photo by Junjie Mendoza