- GILBERT BAYORAN
The postponement of the synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Negros Oriental is being strongly considered by the Comelec 7, the AFP Visayas Command said.
The issue came up during the 1st Joint Security Control Center (JSCC) meeting at Camp Lapu Lapu in Cebu City, attended by top officials of Viscom, the Area Police Command Visayas, Commission on Elections, and the Philippine Coast Guard, among other security agencies.
In a statement, Viscom said that Comelec officials are set to visit Negros Oriental to assess the prevailing peace and order situation in the province.
The JSCC convened in line with its security preparations for the BSKE set on Oct. 30, with the election period slated to start from Aug. 29 until Nov. 29.
Senator Francis Tolentino, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, wife of slain Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, and Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Remollo, aired their support for the postponement of the BSKE in the province.
Of the 158 LGUs in the Visayas region considered as Election Watchlist Areas, 63 are in Region 7, mostly concentrated in Negros Oriental, in view of the killing of Degamo and nine others, 58 in Eastern Visayas, and 37 in Western Visayas.
Lt. Col. Israel Galorio, Viscom spokesperson, said that 40 of these LGUs are classified as areas of concern, 92 as areas of immediate concern, and 26 tagged as areas of grave concern.
Despite the threat to peace in Negros Oriental, Viscom chief, Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, assured the public that their efforts in ensuring the safety and security in the region will never waver.
“Our troops are highly motivated and are ready to perform our mandate,” Arevalo said./GB
