• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine National Police sees no reason to postpone the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on October 30 in Negros Oriental, amid calls of nine mayors and the Diocese of Dumaguete for a one-month delay.
“We don’t see any reason for the delay. What we are requesting is the cooperation and support from private sector or community,” PNP chief Benjamin Acorda disclosed during the public consultation conducted by the Commission on Elections en banc on June 27 in Dumaguete City.
Nine Negros Oriental mayors, supported by Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortez, expressed support for the postponement of the 2023 BSKE, as they raised concerns over peace and security, following assassination of Gov. Roel Degamo and other past unsolved killings.
Bishop Cortez asked for the one-month postponement to erase the fear and trauma felt by the people of Negros Oriental.
On the other hand, Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel Sagarbarria, the Sangguniang Panlalawiagn led by Vice Gov. Jaime “Jake” Reyes , Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong , Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of Dumaguete, among others, are supporting holding the elections on Oct. 30.
AFP chief of staff Gen. Andres Centino, who attended the public consultation presided over by Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia, assured the people of Negros Oriental that they have sufficient forces deployed in Negros.
If the situation warrants, we can add more forces, Centino said.
In his report, acting provincial police director PCol. Alex Recinto reported that Negros Oriental has been generally peaceful, following the assumption of Gov. Sagarbarria, citing the reduction of crime incidents.
The PNO reported a 15.9 percent of crime reduction after the assassination of Gov. Degamo.
Col. Joey Escanillas, commander of the Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade disclosed that the joint AFP and PNP campaign against local insurgents has “somehow diminished the movement.”
While Comelec has yet to decide whether or not postpone the BSKE in Negros Oriental, chairman Garcia disputed claims that the barangay and SK elections will be a violent one.
“We will make the barangay and SK election the most peaceful election in our history,” he stressed.
Garcia warned those who may have intentions of disrupting the polls, to think twice because the security forces are ready to respond at any given time.
He added the decision will be made by either August or September, as the Comelec en banc is now gathering reports from the field, and will discuss thoroughly the pros and cons of the proposed deferment.*
