Commission on Election (Comelec) chairman George Garcia on Friday, Oct. 27 said the poll body has asked the Philippine National Police's (PNP) help following the reported tension in the Municipality of Bucay in Abra province.
Interviewed during DZRH Damdaming Bayan, Garcia said they have coordinated with the PNP leadership on the matter.
"Kanina pa natin namo-monitor 'yan lalo na ang movement ng mga sasakyan. Tayo ay nakipag-ugnayan na agad sa PNP sa [Camp] Crame," he said.
Atty. George Garcia, Chairman, Comelec, sa kalagayan sa Abra: Kanina pa natin namo-monitor 'yan lalo na ang movement ng mga sasakyan. Tayo ay nakipag-ugnayan na agad sa PNP sa Crame.#DamdamingBayan#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) October 27, 2023
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Garcia said they are eyeing to deploy Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) forces in Bucay.
"Sinabi natin na kung hindi kaya ng PNP, papapasukin ang AFP diyan sa issue na 'yan sapagkat sinasabi natin na hindi solusyon ang kadagdagang pwersa kung hindi naman kikilos," he added.
Based on the video obtained by RH Romy Gonzales, a convoy of SUVs was spotted in a street in Bucay on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 26, four days before the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
Several armed men stepped down the SUVs and walked down the street.
The Comelec chairman said he already asked the PNP to investigate how did the armed men successfully passed by the designated checkpoints.
"Tama ang nabanggit kanina, bakit hindi na-checkpoint ang mga taong 'yan? Hinihintay natin mismo ang report ng PNP," Garcia said.
"Sinabi natin kung kinakailangan na mag-relieve sila ng mga tao, we do not care. We need results by today," he added.
The Comelec Chief underscored that they would not allow fear to spread in the said area.
"The Comelec is in control, huwag kayong mag-aalala. Iilang lugar lang naman iyan. Sa atin, ang panawagan natin sa ating partnered agencies lalong-lalo na ang AFP, PNP, at PCG [Philippine Coast Guard] na huwag natin pababayaan na mananaig yung takot sa ating mga kababayan, at therefore, yung ganyan klaseng lawless elements ay kinakailangan maaresto agad at hindi makapanakot ng ating kababayan," Garcia said.
