Comelec says poll-related violence getting ”bad”

February 14, 2019

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) expressed alarm over election-related violence ahead of the May 13 national and local polls.

In a media forum Thursday, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said violence in different parts of the country has not stopped. .

“It reflects the sense that we have of how bad it is getting,” said Jimenez.

“This early in the game, I believe, we have already outstripped the deadliness of the barangay elections, which is, historically, more hotly contested,” he added.

Jimenez issued the statement after the Philippine National Police (PNP) raised the number of election “hotspots” to 701, which is 42 percent of the country's 1,634 cities and municipalities.

According to the PNP, a total of 223 are under the yellow category (areas of concern); 382 are under the orange category (areas of immediate concern); 94 are under the red category (areas of grave concern); and two are under Comelec control.

Jimenez said the rise in election “hotspots” may be due to some desperate politicians to win.

“They are running out of place to influence the outcome. They will be starting to think that maybe it is easier to eliminate the competition. That is one possible reason,” said Jimenez.

Jimenez `called on all candidates to enter into peace covenants with their rivals.

“It might not be legally binding. But, at the very least, we could have moral suasion over the candidates and encourage them to keep the elections safe for everyone,” added Jimenez.  DMS