Comelec starts ballot deliveries in Bulacan

MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Philippines — The official ballots for the May 12 elections started arriving in all the towns and cities of Bulacan yesterday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said.

Bulacan election supervisor Mona Ann Aldana-Campos told The STAR in a text message that some of the official ballots were delivered to the treasurer’s offices of local government units beginning at 9 a.m. yesterday.

Campos said the automated counting machines would be delivered today and on Tuesday.

The final testing for the automated counting machines will be done on Wednesday, she added.

Following this, the Central Luzon Police was placed on full alert on Saturday until May 15.

The full alert status is part of the heightened security preparations for the midterm polls.

Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, Central Luzon police director, said Philippine National Police (PNP) operations centers and intelligence units in the region are conducting monitoring around the clock to detect and prevent potential security threats.

“We are closely coordinating with the Comelec, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other government agencies to guarantee the safety of the public on election day,” Fajardo said.

Additional police personnel have been deployed to “election areas of concern and polling centers” in Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Pampanga provinces.

Quick reaction forces and reactionary standby support forces have also been activated to promptly respond to any incidents of violence or disruption.

AFP tapped for Visayas

Meanwhile, a total of 2,827 soldiers were tapped to secure the elections in Regions 6 and 7 as well as in Negros Island Region, the Visayas Command said.

VisCom chief Lt. Gen. Fernando Reyeg said AFP personnel would support the Comelec and PNP in ensuring a fair, orderly and reliable electoral process.

“Let us remain professional, committed, non-partisan and loyal to the Constitution. Let us foster an environment where our people can exercise their right to vote freely and without fear or intimidation. Our professionalism and dedication are pivotal to safeguarding the sanctity of this democratic process,” Reyeg said.

At least 310 police officers in Bacolod City would be deployed to Negros Oriental three days before the elections, according to Lionel Marco Castillano, the Comelec Negros Island Region director.

All 25 towns and cities in Negros Oriental have been tagged by the Comelec as areas of concern, with Guihulngan City and La Libertad town falling under the red category and the remaining 23 local government units  under the yellow category.

During the 2023 synchronized barangays elections, Negros Oriental was placed under Comelec control, following the killing of then governor Roel Degamo and nine others inside his residential compound in Pamplona town.

In Eastern Visayas, the Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade confirmed that it has not monitored any activity by communist rebel groups, including the “permit to campaign” scheme.

Col. Rico Amaro, brigade deputy chief, said despite the absence of threats, soldiers remain vigilant as they continue their internal security operations. — Ric Sapnu, Gilbert Bayoran, Miriam Desacada