The Commission on Elections is expecting a higher number of election-related incidents in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on 30 October.
Commissioner-in-Charge, Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns, Aimee F. Ferolino, said in a press conference yesterday that the incidence of rivalries between political foes will increase and will be classified under the red category (unlawful election occurrences).
“Historically, pagpalapit na tayo sa election, mag i-intensify ang rivalry kasi lalo na magsisimula na ng campaign period, the emotions will be high so we will be expecting a higher incidence and the higher categories will be classified under the red.” Ferolino said.
Comelec partnered with the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines in a declaration of full recommendation of the committee on the ban and firearms and security concerns to imply proper actions needed.
The commissioner delivered reports that there are 187,882 checkpoints established and eight persons arrested at checkpoints with 648 small firearms and 35 light weapons.
The Comelec categorized the region’s electoral state into different categories. From the green category, generally peaceful, to red category, unlawful election incidences.
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, has the highest number of election-related incidents and is classified under the red category followed by Region 5.
Resolution 335:Under Resolution 10924, the CBSFC can recommend to the Commission en banc to categorize cities and barangays if there is a history of current and intense rivalry among the contending parties, a history of Comelec control, an incidence of politically motivated violence involving candidates running in BSKE, the existence of private armed groups, and the presence of armed threats from communists and terrorist groups.