MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday said two towns in Lanao del Sur have been placed under its control.
Comelec Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan said Tubaran and Malabang towns in Lanao del Sur are now under Comelec control pursuant to Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Safety Concerns (CBFSC) Resolution No. 1 dated March 25, 2022.
“As for the Municipality of Malabang which witnessed a spate of killings recently, it has been declared under Comelec control pursuant to CBFSC Resolution No. 1 dated March 25, 2022 together with Tubaran which has a history of election-related violence, both in Lanao del Sur,” Pangarungan said.
“Because of this, swift measures to prevent further outbreak of violence are already in place,” he added.
A place or an area may be placed under Comelec control when the peace and order situation in the area may affect the elections.
The Comelec head also assured they will investigate the supposed election-related violence in two provinces.
“I condemn the use of violence connected to the May 9, 2022 national and local elections. This Commission will investigate reports of shootings both in Bukidnon and Davao,” he said.
“These incidents of violence have no place in the process of our elections. This is why the Comelec has been more active in pursuing peace covenants and providing decisive action if threats that disturb a peaceful election arise,” he said.
Pangarungan said they are ready to provide additional security to national candidates, particularly those running in the presidential and vice-presidential posts.
“While the Comelec is in the process of investigation, we are offering additional security details to every presidential and vice-presidential candidate upon their request,” he said. (PNA)
