Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Comelec forms sub-committee on security concerns

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 15): Comelec forms sub-committee on security concerns

A Sub-Committee on Security Concerns was formed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the May polls.

Under Resolution No. 10077, the sub-committee shall conduct risk analysis, ascertain risk factors and vulnerabilities related to security issues/concerns affecting the conduct of the May 9 elections which will be used to determine Election Watchlist of Areas.

Comelec logo

To be placed under the control of the Comelec – Committee on the Ban of Firearms and Security Personnel (CBFSP), the panel will be subdivided into six clusters, namely: the Power/Road Right of Way Security Issues Cluster,  Private Armed Groups Issues Cluster,  Armed Threat Groups Issues Cluster,  Transport/Warehouse Issues Cluster,  Board of Election Inspectors/Board of Canvassers/Vote Counting Machine Security Issues Cluster,  and Telecom Tower Security Issues Cluster.

There will be four categories for the Election Watchlist of Areas (EWAs), namely: Category I: Election Areas of Concern; Category II: Election Areas of Immediate Concern; Category III: Election Areas of Grave Concern; and Category IV: Comelec Controlled Areas.
 
Category I are those areas with history of current intense rivalry among contending parties,  violence that maybe facilitated by the employment of Private Armed Groups,  and  those abetted by loose firearms in the hands of unqualified individuals.
Under threat

Category II are those areas  with serious armed threats posed by the New People’s Army, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Abu Sayyaf Group, and rogue elements of the Moro National Liberation Front, and other analogous groups.

If the instances under Categories I and II are present, the area will be considered under Category III.

To be considered under Category IV are those areas where the Comelec en banc has deemed necessary to be placed under its immediate and direct control and supervision, especially local officials and employees in the concerned political division as well as military and law enforcement personnel deployed there.

The Comelec said for immediate and effective control of the political division, subdivision, unit or area concerned, the Commission shall “exercise such authority, where Comelec control has been imposed.”

The CBFSP is mandated to supervise and control the administrative activities and transactions of local government units under Comelec control in order to strictly implement election laws and control the disbursement of public funds.

The CBSFP is also authorized to augment and/or substitute the police force with military troopers whenever necessary to stop possible outbreak of violence and maintain peace and order.

Unless lifted by the Commission, the political division, subdivision, or area will remain under Comelec control until the end of the election period.

http://www.mb.com.ph/comelec-forms-sub-committee-on-security-concerns/

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