Article by:
Franck Dick Rosete and Nef Luczon
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) on Wednesday launched the Safe National and Local Elections 2022 campaign dubbed as “Kasimbayanan) -- Kawani (personnel), Simbahan (church), at Pamayanan (and community) to ensure safe and peaceful conduct of elections in the Northern Mindanao region.
Col. Aaron Mandia, acting city director of the COCPO, assured to provide intensive security measures through Safe (safe, accurate, fair, election).
"The May 2022 election may be the most serious and important in recent history, especially because of the problem that country is facing brought about by the pandemic. However, the police will always be the partner of the Comelec to ensure that the May 2022 election will be safe and peaceful," he said.
He also said strict implementation of the minimum public health standards will also be enforced as the campaign period for national candidates kicked off on Tuesday.
"Rest assured, as a deputized agency of the Comelec, we will ensure, not just a free, honest, peaceful and credible electoral exercise but a safe one in full compliance with strict public health and safety protocols," he said.
COCPO spokesperson Maj. Evan Viñas said police personnel to be deployed on the different voting venues in the city are still being finalized but “we have sufficient number” forces to render security on the election day.
Various government agencies and COCPO force multipliers participated in the launch of Kasimbayanan at the COCPO headquarters in Poblacion, Barangay 40 here.
On February 3, Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) Chief Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr. visited Misamis Occidental Gov. Philip Tan to personally check the security situation in the area and assess what best practices should be applied to ensure the honest and peaceful elections in the region.
Tan said politicians in the province do not resort to political violence.
“We will properly collaborate and cooperate with the military and police to ensure the safety of our constituents and our fellow candidates,” he said.
Rosario also several political leaders within Wesmincom's operational area to establish rapport and strengthened collaboration with the local government officials, and ensure peace in the communities, especially during the election campaign period.
Campaign protocols
Department of the Interior and Local Government Region 10 Director Arnel Agabe supported the signing of resolution creating Regional Comelec Campaign Committee to institutionalize the new normal in the conduct of rallies, meetings, motorcades, and other campaign activities.
Under the resolution, he said health and safety of everyone during the conduct of election activities remain the top priority since the country is still grappling with Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are enjoining our political parties, organizers, and as well as the public who will be involved in the conduct of election campaign activities, to be mindful in every activity that they will conduct and attend to,” he said.
The RCCC stipulates the means and ways political parties and supporters can conduct campaigns aligned with prescribed health protocols, which includes the proper venue and number of people allowed to attend depending on the Alert Level status imposed by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
The RCCC, chaired by the Comelec's Regional Election Director, is composed of the Regional Directors of the DILG-10 and Philippine National Police Region 10, and the Commanding General of the 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army. (PNA)
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