PNA file photo
MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will meet with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure a peaceful Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSK) elections in Negros Oriental.
In an interview, Comelec chairperson George Garcia said the AFP has no report yet on whether the province shall be considered an election hotspot or not.
"Magkakaroon pa kami ng tinatawag na command conference. Mangyayari 'yan ng month of July (We will have what we call command conference. It will happen in July)," he said.
Garcia made the statement on the sidelines of his attendance at the House committee hearing over the situation of Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr., who remains out of the country.
Teves is one of the suspects in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and others last March 4.
Although Garcia did not give details during the hearing of the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, he said included in the discussion is the preparation of the Comelec for the BSK polls in the province.
"Magpapahearing muna tayo sa lahat ng bayan at barangays sa bawat lugar sa Negros upang alamin ang sentimyento ng ating kababayan (We will conduct hearings in all towns and barangays in Negros to determine the sentiments of citizens)," he said.
Garcia said the duration of such consultation shall last for a month, which will start in June.
He maintained that the Comelec desires to conduct an orderly BSK election in Negros Oriental.
"Sinabi natin ang ating posisyon. We are so supportive of any initiative na magkaroon ng isang peaceful, credible elections sa probinsya ng Negros (We told them our position. We are so supportive of any initiative to have peaceful and credible elections in Negros province)," he added. (PNA)
