In this June 4, 2017 file photo, families rescued from Marawi City arrive at Pier 5 in Cebu City where they were processed before boarding a city government-owned bus. (PHOTO BY JUNJIE MENDOZA/CEBU DAILY NEWS)
MANILA — The Commission on Elections will be distributing temporary voters identification cards in a bid to assist displaced families and individuals who are registered voters of Marawi City.
Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said the Comelec en banc decided to issue the temporary voters’ IDs to those who had to flee their homes because of the ongoing fighting.
“The Comelec en banc passed a resolution giving free temporary IDs to registered voters of Marawi City, which could be distributed in evacuation centers,” said Guanzon.
Comelec records show that there are more than 54,000 registered voters in Marawi City.
Around 200,000 residents of Marawi City were forced to flee their homes more than two weeks ago because of the clashes between the Maute terrorist group and government troops.
Guanzon pointed out that a temporary voters’ ID card would be useful for evacuees staying in evacuation centers and with relatives in neighboring cities or towns.
A voters’ ID is a valid identification document given to registered voters, whose biometrics data have been successfully captured digitally by the Comelec.
It is recognized by all government offices and banks, although it is not a requirement for a person to exercise his right to vote.
Guanzon noted that displaced individuals and families have been often left without any proof of identity after being forced to leave their homes in a hurry.
She said the temporary voters’ IDs could come in handy for evacuees, who were often left without any proof of identities.
“When people are dislocated or evacuated because of armed conflict, it is very helpful if they have a governnent ID,” Guanzon said.
She cited as an example the military and police personnel’s practice of asking IDs from individuals at checkpoints.
“The military and police ask for IDs at the check points. Voters’ ID cards, even if temporary, are valid,” the poll commissioner added. SFM
In this June 9, 2017, photo, evacuees stay at a crowded evacuation center on the outskirts of Marawi city, southern Philippines. Nearly every day for the past three weeks, the Philippine military has pounded the lakeside town of Marawi with rockets and bombs as it tries to wipe out militants linked to the Islamic State group in some of the most protracted urban combat to hit this volatile region in decades. (AP FILE PHOTO / AARON FAVILA)