Comelec, PNP boost May 2025 poll preps

By Jason B. Neola

CAMARINES Sur election and police officials have intensified their preparations for the May 12, 2025, midterm and local elections to ensure a smooth, fair, and secure electoral process.

According to Atty. Juliebeth Salvadora, Election Officer of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Camarines Sur, training sessions for members of the Electoral Board have been ongoing since March 1 and will conclude on April 2. These sessions, conducted in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), aim to equip board members with the necessary IT skills for handling automated voting machines.

Atty. Salvadora, along with Police Lt. Col. Regaspi, was the invited resource person at the Kapihan sa PIA, held at Summit Hotel on March 18, 2025.

Meanwhile, training for the Board of Canvassers at the city and municipal levels will commence soon to further strengthen election preparations. Briefings will also be conducted for other poll workers and support staff in various localities.

‘Oplan Baklas’

As part of efforts to uphold election laws, Comelec is spearheading “Oplan Baklas,” a campaign aimed at removing illegal campaign materials. Salvadora said a coordination meeting with different government agencies has already been held for the removal of illegal paraphernalia of national candidates.

The crackdown on local candidates’ materials will start on March 28, the beginning of the official campaign period for local positions.

Candidates found violating election rules on campaign materials will first receive a notice to remove them. If the materials remain after 72 hours, Comelec will take them down, ensuring proper documentation. Salvadora emphasized that only materials placed within designated common poster areas or on private property with the owner’s permission are allowed.

Zero election-related incidents

Lt. Col. Dino Ben Regaspi, chief of the Police Community Affairs and Development Unit (PICADU), reported that the Camarines Sur Police Provincial Office (CSPPO) has been under Comelec’s direct supervision since the election period began on January 12.

To maintain neutrality, CSPPO personnel with relatives running for public office—from the first to the fourth degree of consanguinity—were reassigned after the filing of Certificates of Candidacy in October 2024. The transfers were coordinated with Comelec for approval.

On the operational side, Regaspi noted that from January 12 to March 16, no election-related incidents were recorded in Camarines Sur, based on the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) nationwide election monitoring system. The CSPPO’s jurisdiction, covering Iriga City and 35 municipalities (excluding Naga City), has so far registered a “zero-incident” status.

As part of security measures, all police personnel assigned to protect politicians were recalled before the start of the election period.

Gun ban, checkpoints

Regaspi also reported that between January 12 and March 16, five individuals—including a security guard—were arrested for violating the election gun ban. Authorities confiscated five firearms during these arrests.

To ensure compliance with election laws, all CSPPO stations conduct four checkpoint operations daily. Two of these focus on enforcing Comelec regulations, while the other two are part of regular police operations, including “Oplan Sita.”

Meanwhile, Salvadora reminded candidates and organizers that public rallies require permits from local government units (LGUs), with Comelec being duly notified.

In addressing concerns over automated vote-counting machines, Salvadora clarified that transmission devices will only connect to the voting machines after the printing of election returns. During the voting process, there will be no internet connection to prevent any possibility of tampering or unauthorized access.

With these measures in place, election officials and law enforcement authorities remain vigilant in ensuring an orderly, credible, and peaceful election in Camarines Sur.