Maguindanao del Norte town placed under Comelec control

MANILA, Philippines — The town of Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte has been placed under the control of the Commission of Elections (Comelec) for the May 12 elections.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body yesterday promulgated a resolution placing Datu Odin Sinsuat under Comelec control.

“The declaration is effective today and, therefore, the resolution is effective today,” Garcia said in a press briefing yesterday.

The resolution placing the town under Comelec control came after the killing of municipal election officer Bai Maceda Abo and her husband Jojo by unidentified gunmen last month.

Garcia said the Comelec would not use its full power over the local government unit (LGU) even as the law authorizes it.

“We can automatically take over the LGU since it was declared under Comelec control. But if we don’t find it necessary, we won’t do it,” Garcia said.

He said that Comelec officials want residents to live a normal life as the election is approaching.

Garcia said that for the time being, the poll body would focus on the security concern in Datu Odin Sinsuat, especially during the elections.

He expressed hope that no other area or locality would be placed under Comelec control or no election-related violent incident would occur anywhere in the country within the election period.

“Hopefully, Datu Odin Sinsuat will be the first and last area to be placed under Comelec control,” Garcia said.