Article by:
Franck Dick Rosete
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Police Regional Office in Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) has received no reports of direct police involvement in the removal of illegally placed campaign materials and posters as part of the "Oplan Baklas" of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
PRO-10 spokesperson Lt. Col. Michelle Olaivar made the statement on Saturday following a reminder from Col. Jean Fajardo, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson, for all police officers about their responsibilities during the operation.
Fajardo's statement came amid viral photos of police officers taking down campaign materials in Echague, Isabela.
In an interview on Saturday, Olaivar said police officers are only there to provide security and not help in dismantling campaign posters, which is the task of Comelec.
"As of today, we have not received reports that a police officer personally joined in removing campaign materials. I don't think they will do that," she said.
The PRO-10 has issued a memorandum to all provincial and city police offices reminding that their personnel's task is only limited to providing security to the members of the "Oplan Baklas" task force.
On February 11, the Comelec conducted the region-wide simultaneous "Operation Baklas" in Northern Mindanao.
Olaivar said the PRO-10 has always been consistent in reminding the police officers of their responsibility.
She said the regional office will file a case against any erring police personnel found to be taking part in the dismantling of campaign materials.
"We did not fail to give reminders to our police. If ever one of us did indeed join directly in removing campaign materials, we may file them a case administratively for not following orders," she said.
Meanwhile, in a phone interview, Comelec-10 Director lawyer Francisco Pobe said the launching of "Baklas" has been peaceful even as he thanked the PNP for assisting the task force.
"It is very smooth and successful because prior to the operation, they notified its party so that they will be able to know that these are activities intended really for the benefit of the political activity," he said.
Pobe said the first operation last February 11 was only the start, as succeeding operations will be conducted until the last day of the campaign period.
"We will be doing a periodic or from time to time Operation Baklas if necessary up to the last day of the campaign period. Because we will not see to it that everybody will be able to conform to the requirements on the issue of cleaning the area from the illegally posted posters," he said.
The Comelec-10 noted that most of the illegally posted campaign materials in the region were seen on highways and some of the interior parts of the community.
Pobe assured that they will inform the public and ask them to voluntarily remove their respective posters in prohibited places. He said that the Comelec will issue a notice one to two days prior to the operation in order to inform the public.
"The very purpose of this Operation Baklas is not really to compress the right of the candidates but somehow to level the political playing field," he said. (PNA)
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