The Commission on Elections, Philippine National Police, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines have convened to officially activate the Provincial Joint Security Control Center in preparation for the May 9 national and local elections.
City Election Officer, lawyer Ian Macaraya, spokesperson of the Comelec in Negros Oriental, said it was the first in a series of meetings as the election period officially started Sunday, Jan. 9.
Security matters took center stage during the meeting, with both the police and the military presenting their respective security plans, Macaraya said.
“The PNP and the AFP are the ones in charge of security, and we are expecting them to present in the meeting problems as well as recommendations to ensure the safety of the people and the maintenance of peace and order during the election period and afterward,” he said in mixed English and Cebuano.
Aside from the police and military commanders, election officers from the different towns and cities and the provincial election supervisor, lawyer Eddie Aba, attended the meeting.
Important provisions of the Omnibus Election Code, as well as election-related guidelines, were also tackled, Macaraya said.
Apart from the Comelec gun ban that officially started on Jan. 9, another prohibition by the poll body is the movement, transfer, re-assignment, or hiring of government employees, he said.
Unless otherwise authorized by the Comelec, government agencies, offices, and other entities are covered by this prohibition, he added.
Meanwhile, Police Provincial Director Col. Germano Mallari said they have also activated the Provincial Election Monitoring Action Center in Negros Oriental, in collaboration with the AFP and other agencies, for the sharing, validation, and counter validation of information relative to the elections. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)
