ILOILO City – With the May 2025 midterm elections fast approaching, security forces in Western Visayas are ramping up efforts to prevent disruptions, particularly concerning potential threats posed by the New People’s Army (NPA).
Both the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) and the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) are on high alert as the weeklong filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) begins on October 1.
“Our priority is the safety and integrity of the election process. We will not allow any group, rebel or otherwise, to disrupt the democratic exercise,” said Brigadier General Jack Wanky, regional police director.
The military and police are particularly concerned about reports that some election candidates may be pressured to pay “campaign fees” to the NPA. Lieutenant Colonel J-Jay Javines, spokesperson for the 3ID, issued a stern warning: “Candidates who provide financial support to the rebels could face charges of conspiracy to commit rebellion. Any form of payment to these groups will be treated as direct assistance to their cause.”
According to Javines, despite the significant reduction in rebel forces due to recent military actions, the NPA is still trying to exploit the upcoming elections to fund their activities.
“The rebels will do anything to survive, including attempting to extort money from local candidates,” he added.
The military has already intensified its monitoring in areas known for rebel activity, making it increasingly difficult for the NPA to collect such fees.
Wanky echoed the concerns of the military and stressed that cooperation between the police and military is essential to counter these rebel activities.
“We are working closely with the Armed Forces to ensure that candidates do not succumb to these demands. Any financial support provided to the rebels constitutes a conspiracy and will be met with legal consequences,” Wanky emphasized.
He further warned local government officials against financially supporting the NPA, reminding them that this could also violate the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Government Officials.
“We will not hesitate to take action against those who engage in such illegal activities,” he said.
Meanwhile, PRO-6 is also preparing to secure all Commission on Elections (Comelec) offices across the region. Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis, PRO-6 spokesperson, confirmed that hundreds of police personnel are set to be deployed to ensure the safety of both the filing venues and the candidates.
“Our regional director has issued specific instructions to all city and provincial police directors to ensure that the filing of candidacies goes smoothly and without incident,” Solis said.
In Iloilo City, Police Colonel Kim Legada, head of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), highlighted the importance of proactive measures to prevent election-related violence.
“We have coordinated closely with Comelec and other stakeholders to strengthen security throughout the electoral period,” said Legada.
With additional police personnel deployed, and strict guidelines limiting the number of companions allowed during the COC filing, authorities hope to maintain peace and order during this critical phase of the election season.
The Comelec offices in the region are set to operate daily from October 1 to 8, and preparations are already in place to accommodate the expected surge of candidates.
“We are fully prepared to handle the volume of filers. In cases where space is an issue, we have transferred some venues to larger locations,” said Comelec Region 6 director Dennis Ausan./PN
