MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has deployed more security personnel following the ambush incident in which Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua survived last August 15 in Datu Odin Sinsuat town, Maguindanao del Norte.
In an ambush interview on Monday, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco explained that it was only natural to increase the security personnel “if there’s something to watch out for.”
But he noted that the number of additional personnel is only “enough,” adding that they do not want to cause fear to the public.
“Ayaw naming magmukhang militarize yung lugar,” Laudiangco emphasized.
(We don’t want the area to appear militarized.)
READ: BARMM chief survives ambush in Maguindanao
When asked how many personnel are currently deployed at BARMM, the Comelec spokesperson declined to specify, explaining that this “is part of our security measures.”
Meanwhile, the checkpoints set up across BARMM likewise increased from 18,000 last week to the current over 24,000.
The figure already covers the whole BARMM, which is a large geographical area, the Comelec official said.
“Sabi namin, sapat lang, sumunod doon sa ating checkpoints. Kung kailangang dagdagan yung checkpoints, at least maliwanag sa kababayan natin. Kasi nakalagay doon yung ating mga signages eh. So alam nila na lahat ng ginagawa ng uniformed personnel doon ay Comelec-related work,” he explained.
(We said, it’s enough, just follow our checkpoints. If checkpoints need to be increased, at least we make it clear to our countrymen. Because our signages are posted there. So they know that everything the uniformed personnel do there is Comelec-related work.)
Meanwhile, Laudiangco said that they believe that the ambush that targeted Macacua is related to the BARMM elections, but they are hoping that this is an “isolated incident.”
“Kami po tinuturing na namin ito talagang election-related incident. Why? It happened during the election period. It happened during the campaign period. Then it happened immediately after na mag-take oath yung Interim Chief Minister sa kaniyang political party,” he said.
(We are now considering this as an election-related incident. Why? It happened during the election period. It happened during the campaign period. Then it happened immediately after the Interim Chief Minister took oath in his political party.)
Macacua survived the ambush only hours after he was chosen to lead a new regional party vying for parliamentary seats in the BARMM elections set to be conducted on September 14.
Inclement weather, a concern
According to Laudiangco, the main concern for the upcoming BARMM elections is the potential flooding caused by this year’s rainy season.
“Alam naman po natin, yung habagat na nangyari dito, ’yung southwest monsoon, although hindi na ’yun nakaka-apekto sa parte ng Mindanao, pero may mga pumapasok po na bagyo. ’Yun po ang mas concern namin,” he noted.
(We know that the habagat that happened here, the southwest monsoon, although it is no longer affecting parts of Mindanao, but tropical cyclones are coming in. That’s what we are more concerned about.)
READ: Recto urges media to prioritize safety during BARMM poll coverage
The Comelec spokesperson also said they have prepared alternative voting centers in BARMM should some schools be affected by flooding.
He, meanwhile, pointed out that if widespread flooding hinders BARMM residents from voting, the poll body may suspend or reschedule the election.
“Basta ang importante po kasi sa power ng Comelec na ’yan, hindi absolute. Dapat within 30 days, mawala ’yung cost ng pagkasuspinde ng eleksyon, eh magawa na po namin yung halalan na ’yan,” said Laudiangco.
(What is important is the Comelec’s power is not absolute. The cost of suspending the election should be eliminated within 30 days, so we can hold that election.)
So far, the Comelec has not recorded any threats related to the BARMM elections, although it has apprehended 15 individuals for violating the gun ban and confiscated over 20 firearms.
Laudiangco said all BARMM election paraphernalia is expected to arrive at the provincial hubs by the first week of September. /cb
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