Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 28) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday said it is closely monitoring the situation in Socorro, Surigao del Norte amid the issues involving the alleged “cult activities” of Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. (SBSI) in the mountainside.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia clarified that the issues being investigated by the Senate are not related to the conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) to be held on Oct. 30. However, he said it was important for the poll body to keep close watch and anticipate any eventuality.
“In the case of Socorro sa Surigao, sa kasalukuyan hindi naman siya related sa eleksyon. ‘Yung issues patungkol sa, ‘yung nandoon na hine-hearing ngayon sa ating Senado, wala po ito patungkol sa eleksyon. Kaya lamang ang atin is mas maganda na ia-anticipate natin ang kahit anong eventually na puwede mangyari. Ang sa amin lang po, sana hindi mapigilan ‘yung pagboto ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.
[Translation: In the case of Socorro in Surigao, currently, these are not related to the election. The Senate hearings have nothing to do with the elections. But we are anticipating whatever will happen. We remain hopeful people will be able to vote.]
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Garcia also said the Comelec wants to ensure the safety of voters in the area. He said SBSI members, who are registered voters, need to walk about five kilometers to the nearest polling place.“Ang atin pong dapat masigurado, dapat magmula sa kung saan sila nandoon papunta sa eskwelahan, dapat maayos. At makakaboto sila nang walang pressure, nang walang dikta ng kahit na sino. At the same time base sa kalooban nila. And that’s the issue sa Socorro. And that is why the Comelec is monitoring closely, the development in Socorro,” he added.[Translation: What we have to ensure is that they are safe, starting from when they travel from their homes to the schools. And they can vote without being pressured, without anyone telling them what to do. And that’s the issue in Socorro. And that is why the Comelec is monitoring closely, the development in Socorro.]The poll body chief added the Comelec also wants to ensure that BSKE candidates will be allowed to campaign freely, especially in the area occupied by SBSI.Garcia said he is willing to speak with SBSI members to convey the sentiment of the Comelec on the conduct of elections in the area.“Willing na willing ako makausap sila para mapahayag po ‘yung sentimiento ng Comelec na sana ano man po ‘yung ibang issues na nagkalat diyan at nalalaman ng buong bansa, sana po hindi maapektuhan ang halalan at ang pagboto ng ating kababayan,” he said.[Translation: I am very willing to talk with them to let them know what the Comelec is about, and hope whatever other issues are there will not affect the elections and voters.]Garcia reiterated his instruction to regional Comelec offices that there should be no failure of election in any part of the country.The Comelec said it has received the list of areas concern from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).Based on its discussion with the PNP and the AFP, the poll body is not yet considering placing Socorro under Comelec control.“At this point, sa mga sa amin pong standards, hindi pa. Tanong paano kung magkaroon ng violence ilalagay natin sa Comelec control? Basta nakakaapekto sa pagboto, then the Comelec will have to interfere,” Garcia said.[Translation: It does not meet our standards right now. As for the question if it will be under Comelec control, should there be violence? If it will affect elections, then the Comelec will have to interfere.]Among the grounds of placing an area under Comelec control include history of or current intense rivalries among contending parties, previous declarations, incidence of politically motivated violence, and serious armed threats.
