Another Maguindanao town under Comelec control; relief of regional, provincial police chiefs sought

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has placed a second town in Mindanao under its control due to escalating election-related violence.

In a resolution promulgated on Tuesday, April 15, the seven-member commission announced that Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur is now under Comelec control, granting the poll body full supervision over local officials, government employees, and law enforcement agencies.

“Once declared, security measures are intensified, including heightened surveillance, increased police presence, and the implementation of additional security protocols to deter and respond to potential security incidents,” the resolution stated.

Comelec cited a series of shooting and violent attacks in the town that threaten the peaceful and orderly conduct of the upcoming May 12 midterm elections.

In a chance interview at the Comelec headquarters in Intramuros, Manila, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said even civilians have become targets of violence.

In February, Buluan vice mayoral candidate Anwar Dimasinsil and his driver escaped unharmed from an ambush. On the same day, a separate shooting involved a minor who is a distant relative of former Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, who is aligned with a rival political camp.

Earlier, Comelec placed Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte under its control following a wave of violent incidents, including the March killing of an election officer and her husband, as well as the shooting deaths of a candidate’s lawyer and her fiancé.

Also on Tuesday, Comelec released a memorandum from Commissioner Aimee Ferolino informing the commission that she had requested Philippine National Police (PNP) chief PGen Rommel Marbil to relieve three top police officials from their posts for allegedly failing to act promptly on requests for security detail for Comelec field personnel.

The officials named were Bangsamoro Police Regional Director PBGen Romeo Macapaz, Maguindanao del Norte Police Provincial Director PCol Eleuterio Ricardo Jr., and Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Director PCol Ryan Bobby Paloma.

“I cannot allow another field officer or employee to suffer harm - or worse, lose their life - because of the gross negligence and incompetence of those entrusted with their protection,” Ferolino wrote.

As of writing, the PNP has not issued an official statement on the matter.