The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it is now preparing for the 2022 special elections in Lanao del Sur set on May 24.
The Comelec earlier reported a failure of elections in some areas of the said province.
Comelec Commissioner George Garcia in a radio interview said that the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will work with the poll regulator body to conduct the special elections in Tubaran, Lanao del Sur.
Tubaran has yet to submit its Certificate of Canvass (COC) for the 2022 national and local elections.
“The Comelec is ready. The AFP, PNP, and PCG are already coordinating with us. We have increased our forces there in Lanao del Sur because the possibility that violence will arise in Tubaran is very high,” Garcia, in the Super Radyo dzBB interview, said.
Garcia said PNP personnel “will have to take over the special elections in 14 polling precincts in Tubaran so as not to put the teachers at risk.”
The official said PNP personnel had to undergo training for several days and weeks to oversee the elections in the said areas. The Comelec noted that teachers are being threatened” in the said areas.
The Comelec said at least 12 barangays in Tubaran reported violence, threats, and intimidation related to the 2022 elections.
These barangays were Tangcal, Datumanong, Guiarong, Baguiangun, Wago, Malaganding, Gadongan, Riantaran, Pagalamatan, Mindamunag, Paigoday-pimbataan, and Metadicop.