INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday said that it is looking into placing Libon, Albay under its control, following the murder of a certificate of candidacy filer for the 2023 barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections in the area.
According to Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco, Libon will be placed under Comelec’s control depending on the recommendation of the poll body Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns.
“Iisa pa po naming tinitingnan ito pong Libon, Albay – maaari din po itong mai-place under red category at depende sa recommendation po ng Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns, ay maari na po itong mailagay namin sa Comelec control o red category,” said Laudiangco in a Laging Handa briefing.
(We are still looking at this Libon, Albay – it can also be placed under red category, and depending on the recommendation of the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns, we can now put it under the Comelec control or red category.)
But Laudiangco said that the Comelec has already intensified the presence of police officers and military in the area, with an additional 200 cops including the Special Action Force, as well as the activation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Units and reservists
The Comelec has also established a 24-hour hotline in the area.
To recall, the poll body previously reported that a Barangay San Jose re-electionist in Libon was murdered.
So far, only Malabang, Lanao del Sur has been placed under Comelec control following an election-related violence incident in the area.
Under Comelec Resolution No. 10757, the poll body’s control can be raised in an area due to the following:
- History of/or current intense rivalry among contending parties. Such rivalries could motivate people to engage in violent acts
- Incidents of politically-motivated violence involving aspirants/candidates and other supporters
- Violence may be facilitated by the employment of Private Armed Groups
- Serious armed threats posed by the Communist Terrorist Groups and other threat groups.