Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo and eight different mayors from Negros Oriental have appealed to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to postpone the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) within the province, citing peace and order issues.
In an announcement launched on Sunday, the 9 mayors mentioned they need the conduct of the BSKE, that are set on October 30, to be moved a month to ensure that them to deal with the violence within the province.
“The recent tragic events in Negros Oriental, including the killing of former Governor Degamo and the massacre of nine individuals, have raised significant concerns regarding peace and security. Many other killings and harassments have occurred in the past, with most of the perpetrators still at large. The alleged mastermind’s political machinery remains intact, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation in our communities,” the mayors mentioned.
They additionally argued that the postponement would supply a possibility to mobilize the complete energy of the nationwide authorities, together with the Comelec, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to concentrate on strengthening safety measures within the province.
“[P]ostponing the elections will allow us to address this profound fear and hesitation that continues to undermine the electoral process in Negros Oriental. It provides an opportunity for concerted efforts to dismantle the culture of fear, instill confidence in the voters, and ensure a truly free and fair electoral environment,” the mayors mentioned.
“Postponing the elections provides the necessary time and space to establish a foundation of trust and security, paving the way for a more genuine and meaningful democratic experience in Negros Oriental,” they added.
Aside from Degamo, whose husband, Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, was shot useless of their dwelling on March 4, the opposite signatories are: Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo, Guihulngan City Mayor Filomeno Reyes, Siaton Mayor Cezanne Fritz Diaz, Dauin Mayor Galicano Truita, San Jose Mayor Mel Nick Logronio, Bindoy Mayor Eniego Jabagat, Ayungon Mayor Dennis Amancio, and Tayasan Mayor Susano Antonio Ruperto.
During a Senate inquiry into the killing of Governor Degamo, Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Francis Tolentino requested the ballot physique to look into the potential for holding off the elections amid the political violence within the province.
Comelec then introduced earlier this month that public hearings can be performed in Negros Oriental to evaluate its present state of affairs, notably its peace and order standing, with the intention to decide whether or not or not the BSKE ought to be postponed within the province.
Poll chairman George Garcia mentioned Sunday that the Comelec’s choice on the doable postponement of polls within the province could also be disclosed by the tip of September or begin of October.
He mentioned the general public session will begin on Tuesday, and can final for 3 to 4 days. — BM, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
