Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 19) — Two Lanao del Sur towns have already been placed under Commission on Elections (Comelec) control since March, according to the poll body’s chairman.
“As for the Municipality of Malabang which witnessed a spate of killings recently, it has been declared under Comelec control pursuant to CBFSC Resolution No. 1 dated March 25, 2022 together with Tubaran which has a history of election-related violence, both in Lanao del Sur,” Comelec Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan said.
“Because of this, swift measures to prevent further outbreak of violence are already in place,” he added.
Pangarungan also condemned election-related violence, as he stressed they would launch an investigation into shooting incidents in Bukidnon and Lanao.
Gunshots were heard during a gathering between the camp of presidential candidate and labor leader Leody De Guzman and the Manobo-Pulangiyon tribe in Bukidnon on Tuesday.
There were some casualties, according to De Guzman.
READ: Multiple gun shots fired during Ka Leody’s Bukidnon visit, camp says
Police Maj. Gen. Valeriano de Leon, head of the Elections Security Task Force, told CNN Philippines they expect more areas to be included in the list of election hotspots.
Comelec Commissioner George Garcia called the shooting “a cowardly act.”
“If this is an election-related incident, count the Comelec in to use all our powers to get to the bottom of this and hold accountable the culprits and face the full force of the law,” Garcia said.
The poll body is also ready to provide additional protection for national candidates, according to Pangarungan.
“While the Comelec is in the process of investigation, we are offering additional security detail to every presidential and vice presidential candidates upon their request,” he said.
He said there are already 14 cities and 105 municipalities that are under the red category.
De Leon also revealed they have received intelligence reports that groups will try to destabilize the May 9 elections. But he assured the public they are ready to secure the polls.
