COTABATO CITY -- Commission on Elections (Comelec) officials on Wednesday took down campaign materials of local and national candidates that were placed in unauthorized areas in two Maguindanao towns.
Susan Albano and Norijean Hangkal, election officers of Datu Anggal Midtimbang and Talitay towns respectively, led the removal of campaign materials posted on roadsides, houses, and other places that are not identified as common poster areas.
They were accompanied by troops of the Army’s 19th Infantry Battalion and policemen of the two towns during the “Oplan Baklas”.
The operation against illegally-posted campaign materials came after the covenant signing and peace dialogue among candidates initiated by the military in Datu Anggal Midtimbang and Talitay.
Albano said they reminded the candidates about the law that requires them to post campaign materials only in designated common poster areas.
“If they really wanted to serve the people, they should religiously obey simple rules,” she said.
Adam Sangki-Usman, a volunteer of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) - Maguindanao, said his group is helping the Comelec educate the candidates and their supporters about election laws, specifically on the display of campaign materials. (PNA)
