Comelec asks logistics firm to explain after discovery of poll materials in Cavite vacant lot

MANILA, Philippines — Cargo forwarder F2 Logistics has been asked to explain after election documents were found in a vacant lot in Amadeo, Cavite, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner George Garcia said Sunday.

Garcia stressed that their investigation on the matter is still preliminary. Hence, the names or companies that are mentioned are presumed innocent and have no liability.

“Pinagpapaliwanag sila ngayon. Nakikipag-ugnayan na ‘yung ating—‘yun nga si Director [J. Thaddeus] Hernan ng Administrative Services Department,” Garcia said on TeleRadyo’s Balita when asked if F2 Logistics can he held liable.

(They were asked to explain. Our Director Hernan of the Administrative Services Department is already working on the matter.)

“Gusto rin naming alamin kung talaga bang sila ang nag-pick up ng mga dokumentong ‘yan at sila rin ba ‘yung nag-iwan ng mga dokumentong ‘yan,” he added.

(We want to know if they were the ones who picked up the documents and left it there.)

A video and photos of election documents dumped in a vacant lot have made rounds on social media.

“Nagpa-initial investigation po tayo. Pinatawag din natin ang ating election officer dito po sa Manila… at sinasabi niya, tama, hindi po ito mga balota, hindi po ito mga original na balota,” said Garcia.

(We had an initial investigation. We also called our election officer here in Manila… and he said that these are not original ballots.)

“Ito po ay mga training ballots — meaning ‘yung mga balota na ginamit natin nung tayo ay nagte-training at the same time nagfa-final testing and sealing — at mga ilang dokumento,” he continued.

(These are training ballots — meaning the ballots used when we were training and at the same time, during final testing and sealing — and other documents.)

F2 Logistics is Comelec’s partner in transporting ballots, vote-counting machines, and other supplies for the 2022 elections.

 gsg