BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC) of Negros Occidental was reactivated on Friday morning, Aug/ 25, in preparation for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on Oct. 30.
Among those who attended the PJSCC reactivation and meeting were officials from the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) and the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IBde).
It was agreed that checkpoints will be set up all over the province beginning Aug. 28, the start of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC).
According to Police Colonel Leo Pamittan, NOCPPO director, all vehicles will be checked.
He also ordered police commanders in cities and towns to mobilize motorcycle-riding cops to chase vehicles that refuse to stop at checkpoints.
On the other hand, 303IBde commander Brigadier General Orlando Edralin said they have yet to receive reports on communist insurgents extorting money from local candidates.
Comelec-Negros Occidental elections supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria, meanwhile, said election officers in various towns and cities are ready to accept COCs.
Recently, the Comelec central office warned all aspiring candidates that charges will be filed for premature campaigning.
“We will file cases against all of them… Huwag nila kaming susubukan (They shouldn’’t dare us). We will disqualify them and we will file criminal cases against all of them,” said Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia.
The filing of COC is from Aug. 28 until Sept. 2. However, under Comelec guidelines, aspiring candidates are only allowed to conduct their campaigns from Oct. 19 to 28. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
