The 7th Infantry Division (7ID) of the Philippine Army cautioned local bets in Regions 1 and 3 from paying armed groups that charge “permit to campaign†fees.
Brigadier Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., 7ID commander, said ““these groups who claim to have control over some areas are just extortionists trying to take advantage of these political candidates. For the record, no barangay in our jurisdiction are influenced by them.â€
Catapang also urged candidates and their supporters to surrender unlicensed and unregistered firearms to a police station near their area to prevent untoward incidents during this election period.
Catapang also reminded candidates that under the Commission on Election rules only senatorial candidates can avail themselves of bodyguards from PNP and military, but added that local bets may also avail themselves of bodyguards provided that they will have no more than two private securities.
A total of 1,429 local positions will be up for grabs in Central Luzon for the midterm polls consisting of 21 congressional seats, seven gubernatorial, seven vice gubernatorial, 68 provincial boards, 130 mayoral, 130 vice mayoral, and 1,066 councilor seats.