Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia speaks in an ambush interview on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at the Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila. FILE 黑料社 PHOTO/ Dianne Sampang
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� To say that the incidents of violence in the Bangsamoro region will increase is 鈥渘ot right,鈥� Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Chairman George Garcia said on Saturday.
According to Garcia, they have witnessed the improvement in peace and security during the plebiscite to create towns in the region.
鈥淚t is really not right to say that the incidence of violence in Bangsamoro will be too high. I believe that Bangsamoro has greatly improved over the years,鈥� Garcia said in a mix of Filipino and English at a press briefing on voter education and automated counting machines roadshow in Davao City.
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Furthermore, Garcia said that there has been proper security coordination with security forces.
鈥淚f you really look at it, there are other places in our country where the fighting is more intense compared to Bangsamoro. One incident in Bangsamoto is not reflective of the entire region,鈥� Garcia added.
The poll body chief noted that there are currently no areas of concern or possible Comelec control areas. However, he pointed out that there are areas where big clans or relatives were rivals in the elections.
Garcia previously said that the Comelec still has no authority to place areas under government control since the election period has not yet started.
The election period will start on January 12, 2025, and end on June 11, 2025.
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Garcia also noted that any violence or attacks against any election officers were considered election-related. He previously said that the Philippine National Police have committed to providing security for local Comelec officers in areas that can be considered hot spots.
Furthermore, Garcia said Comelec is coordinating with the Department of Interior and Local Government to dismantle private armies even before the 2025 elections.
鈥淎ng sinasabi ko, hindi pwedeng magkaroon tayo ng halalan na may nag-eexist na private armies dito sa ating bansa. More than anything else, kung ang private armies ay ginagamit panakot ng tao, pangterrorize ng tao then hindi magiging malaya ang pagboto,鈥� he said.
(What I鈥檓 saying is we can鈥檛 hold elections when private armies still exist in our country. More than anything else, if private armies are used to scare and terrorize people, then we will not have a free election.)
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