No to failure of election in Sulu – Comelec

Becky D. de Asis and Judys G. Cogo

JOLO, Sulu -  The Comelec provincial  Supervisor Atty. Roberto dela Pena said during the final provincial coordinating conference last May 5 they are positive of a peaceful and credible election this coming May 13 despite proclaiming Sulu as No.17 in the Philippines under Comelec concern or hotspot.

Atty. Roberto dela Pena (center) with col. Johriel Cenabre
of 2nd Marine Brigade (right) and P/Supt. Glenn Roy M.
Gabor of PNP Sulu

Dela Pena said in an interview that they have  5 recorded municipalities out of 19 are under Intense of Political Rivalry (IPR) such as Tongkil, Panglima Estino, Lugus, Pangutaran and Omar while the remaining municipalities are also under observation to avoid skirmishes or possible  political harassments.

 “We requested 85 generators for the preparations of brownouts or there are some island municipalities without power or electricity, but it has only 19 generators… We are worried but we hope we can produce it before election,” said the supervisor.

Elsewhere, P/Supt. Glenn Roy M. Gabor said the Sulu police are ready to dispatch anytime to the different municipalities.

“We have only 1,321 policemen in Sulu, the 1,200 policemen are ready to be dispatched to every voting precincts,” said Gabor during a conference.

“But on the 5 municipalities would  under Comelec concern.. We added or double our policemen in order to assist and protect the voters as well as the whole communities.”

Comelec, Deped, PNP and Military attending the final
provincial coordinating conference in Sulu

On the other hand, Marines  Col. Jose Johriel M. Cenabre  of 2^nd Marine Brigade said their priorities are those concern areas of the comelec  like Lugus, Panglima Estino, Omar and others.

Augmentation troops will oversee voting precincts , securing BEI’s and the distribution of ballot boxes and picos machines.

He said the marines are ready to assists for a peaceful and credible second automated elections.

Cenabre expressed beliefs that political hopefulls in the place are aware of the Comelec rules.

He said some politicians in Sulu and other non-government organization, police, military and other concern agencies had signed peace covenant and promised to abide with the law to have an orderly election.