The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) removed unauthorized campaign materials in a large operation dubbed “Grand Oplan Baklas,” marking the start of the local campaign period for the upcoming midterm elections.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia and MMDA Chairman Romando Artes led the initiative, which aims to clear public spaces of campaign paraphernalia that often clutter streets, walls, and other public areas.
The operation in Tondo, Manila, sought to enforce Republic Act No. 3571 and Comelec Resolution No. 11111, which prohibit the posting or installing of campaign materials on trees and electrical posts.
Garcia announced that the Comelec would send letters to candidates notifying them of “orders to remove” so they can initiate the removal of posters from prohibited areas.
If the campaign posters are not removed within three days, the commission will issue a show-cause order.
“We advise all candidates to place campaign materials only in designated common areas to avoid removal and potential disqualification cases,” he emphasized.
Artes said the MMDA deployed personnel from the Metro Parkways Clearing Group (MPCG) to work alongside Comelec in dismantling illegal campaign materials that violate established size and placement regulations.
“We deployed over 500 MMDA personnel across the 17 local government units of Metro Manila to remove these illegal campaign materials,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) went on heightened security alert status at the start of the election campaign for local candidates.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said that the PNP chief has ordered all regional offices to monitor their areas of responsibility to prevent criminal activities and respond to untoward incidents.
“The instruction of our PNP chief is to ensure that we maintain and maintain police visibility in areas of engagement, including the area security that we will deploy during campaign sorties of our local candidates as well as our national candidates,” she said.
Fajardo also said that the PNP canceled the leaves of police officers and required them to report to their respective offices for possible deployment in areas.
“It means at least 75 percent of the total strength of PNP must be readily available for deployment,” she explained.
For its part, Malacañang reminded local candidates to abide by election laws as the campaign period gets underway.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro urged candidates to lead by example and uphold the law throughout the campaign season.
“You will serve as leaders, so it’s essential to follow the law,” she added.
Asked if Malacañang would discourage house-to-house campaigning as the summer heat intensifies, Castro left the decision to candidates.
“We can’t prevent candidates from deciding how to campaign. They know how to take care of themselves and their constituents,” she said.
Addressing concerns about political interference by uniformed personnel, Castro reiterated that the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) must remain neutral.