ELECTIONS chairman George Garcia yesterday said they have recorded 29 election-related violent incidents since the filing of candidacy for the May elections in October last year.
Interviewed after a meeting with PNP officials at Camp Crame, Garcia also said the poll body has yet to assess any area that could be placed under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
“Based on their (PNP) data from October up to March 1, they have recorded 29 ERVs (election-related violence),” Garcia said, adding that the incidents have been validated to be related to the May 12 elections.
He said many of the incidents occurred in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
He also said the PNP is investigating 12 to 15 other incidents to determine if these are election-related.
Garcia said the number of ERVIs so far recorded is low compared to the same period during the two previous mid-term elections but did not provide figures.
Last January, the Comelec said there are 38 areas of concern that are classified under the “Red” category.
Yesterday, Garcia said the number remains the same but said this may change as they are implementing changes in the categorization or classification of areas.
“That may change,” he said, noting that regional police offices are due to submit reports relating to the elections in the coming days.
During yesterday’s meeting, Garcia said the Comelec and PNP looked into some “loopholes” and “adjustments” that can be done in relation to their preparations for the elections.
“This is really just to strengthen the coordination of the Comelec and the Philippine National Police,” he said.
Among the issues tackled during the meeting were the campaign against vote-buying and vote-selling and removal of illegally-posted campaign materials.
‘CLUELESS’
In a separate phone interview, Garcia said the poll body has invited 20-year-old Heart Aquino to visit the Comelec office in Manila.
Aquino, a contestant in the February 28 “Sexy Babe” segment of the noontime show “It’s Showtime,” went viral after she admitted being clueless on the poll body’s mandate and functions.
“I invited her to come to the Comelec. She will be coming from Pampanga,” Garcia said, adding the invitation aims to brief Aquino on the work of the Comelec and to inquire as to why she does not know anything about the office.
“It is for our full understanding as to why (she is clueless). It is our failure… we have to immediately rectify,” he said.
Garcia said they are prepared to do the same to anyone who is unaware of the Comelec’s work.
“It is possible that many youth or Filipinos are like her. It is, thus, our solemn duty to explain who we are and what we are doing,” he said.
In last Friday’s episode of the noontime show, Aquino was asked by the hosts about her message to the Comelec.
Aquino responded by saying: “Sorry po, hindi po ako masyadong knowledgeable sa Comelec.”
Reacting to her reply, the hosts said “that’s bothersome” considering that Aquino is already 20-years-old. – With Gerard Naval
