OPERATION BAKLAS. A police in Pinili town removes a campaign material posted on a tree in Pinili, Ilocos Norte on Friday (May11,2018). (Photo courtesy of Pinili PNP)
LAOAG CITY – Posting election campaign paraphernalia on trees and other non-designated campaign poster areas, such as along the national road, is a no-no in the province of Ilocos Norte.
So, at about 9 a.m. on Friday, a joint task force of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Philippine National Police, Department on the Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources spearheaded the conduct of “Operation Baklas” as they took down election-related materials that were posted in areas other than those assigned for campaign posters.
Joan Perez, election officer of Pinili town, along with personnel of the town police under Senior Insp. Johnwen Balueta, gathered these materials and disposed of them in the municipal dumpsite.
“We appeal to our candidates to post their campaign ads only in identified common poster areas,” said Perez.
Under the Fair Elections Act, the Comelec reminded voters to abide by the law but unfortunately, there are some supporters of candidates who post election propaganda in walls of public buildings, electric posts and trees.
Every election period, the Operation Baklas task force is reactivated to intensify the campaign against illegally-posted election materials. (PNA)
