Maguindanao steps up security for filing of candidacy certificates

COTABATO CITY—To prevent the 2009 Maguindanao massacre from happening again, police authorities in that province have stepped up security measures for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) this week and for the coming elections.

The Maguindanao police director, Senior Supt. Nickson Muksan, led a command conference last week to map out security plans to ensure an orderly, peaceful, honest and credible elections in Maguindanao.

“This is to prevent violence from happening on political candidates on their way to the Comelec (Commission on Elections) office to file their candidacies,” Muksan told reporters.

“We will start during the filing of certificates of candidacy,” Muksan added.

The filing of certificates of candidacy will start today and end on Oct. 16.

Muksan said his office has coordinated with the Cotabato City Police Office, headed by Senior Supt. Rex Anongos, on security arrangement since the provincial office of the Comelec is located in the city.

“We will put up a police assistance desk in all municipalities and in Cotabato City because some candidates will be filing in the city,” he said.

Candidates for municipal mayor, vice mayor and members of the town council are to file their COCs in the municipal election officer’s office located at the town center.

Candidates for provincial governor, vice governor and members of the provincial board, plus aspirants for congressional seats will file in the Comelec provincial office in Cotabato City.

Muksan said five towns in Maguindanao were considered “areas of immediate concern.” These are the towns of Sultan sa Barongis, Datu Unsay, Raja Buayan, Sultan Mastura and Matanog.

Muksan refused to reveal why these towns were such for the Philippine National Police, saying evaluation and assessment on possible intense political rivalries continue.

Maguindanao election officer lawyer Udtog Tago said his office would be open from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. to accept COCs.

At least 58 persons, including 32 media persons, were killed in the Nov. 23, 2009, Maguindanao massacre where the victims, accompanied by media persons, were to file the candidacy of then Buluan town Vice Mayor now Maguindanao Gov. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu.

Mangudadatu was to challenge the governorship of Maguindanao long ruled by the Ampatuan clan. Edwin Fernandez, Inquirer Mindanao

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