The Commission on Elections in the Negros Island Region will conduct Oplan Baklas regularly to get rid of illegal campaign materials throughout the poll period.
Comelec-NIR Assistant Regional Director Jossil Macute said on Tuesday it will ensure that candidates seeking elective posts will abide by the Fair Elections Act.
“At the start of the campaign period for national candidates, the Special Task Force Baklas assigned to remove illegal campaign materials was activated, and we have deputized agencies to help us,” Macute said in an interview.
“This is not just today but also ahead of the campaign period for local candidates next month,” he added.
Among the deputized agencies are the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, Department of Public Works & Highways, and the Department of Justice.
The agencies will help the Comelec in the implementation of election laws, Macute said.
Macute led OPlan Baklas here, or the tearing down of campaign posters and materials found in public areas that are not designated by the Comelec.
An initial inventory of the posters taken down Tuesday showed that majority of the materials were of Party-List candidates.
Macute warned that repetitive violations by a candidate will mean sanctions, and possible disqualification.
The Comelec will store the illegal campaign materials until after election day on May 12 as they may be used as evidence. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)
