PNP says COC, CONA filing for Eleksyon 2022 'generally peaceful'

The Philippine National Police on Saturday said the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) and certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) for Eleksyon 2022 was "generally peaceful and orderly."

“The Philippine National Police did not receive any significant incident that affected the eight-day filing of COCs and CONAs across the country. We attribute this to the preparations made by our unit commanders and the hard work of our personnel on the ground,” PNP chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar said in a statement.

The PNP also said the "hard work" of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) made the process peaceful and orderly. 

The filing period for national and local posts for Eleksyon 2022 was held from October 1 to 8.

Aspirants for national posts had to personally file their COCs or send their representatives to file on their behalf, before the Comelec at the Harbor Garden Tent at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila.

Eleazar said there were a few reported incidents in other parts of the country, but these were not significant and were properly addressed by local police.

Among these incidents was an incident of direct assault, alarm and scandal and malicious mischief at the Comelec office in Taraka, Lanao del Sur on Oct. 7. An aspirant filed his COC for Sangguniang Bayan member, but allegedly caused a commotion at the office. Police were able to subdue him, the PNP said.

Two individuals were also arrested separately in Lucena City and Marikina City for alleged violation of the gun ban which is in force from September 30 to October 9.

Eleazar however said some supporters of aspirants failed to follow health and safety protocols when they showed up on the day their bets were to file their COCs.

“Nakakalungkot lamang na sa kabila ng ating paulit-ulit na pakiusap ay marami pa rin sa ating mga kababayan ang hindi sumunod sa mga patakaran ng Comelec at ng pamahalaan tungkol sa public health safety at nakakalungkot din na tila hinayaan ito ng mga sinusuportahan nilang mga kandidato,” PGen Eleazar said.

(It is sad that despite our repeated appeals, many of our countrymen did not follow the protocols of the Comelec and the government when it comes to public health safety. It is also disheartening to note that it seems the aspirants did not do anything about it.)

Eleazar said change should come from ourselves and this starts by following simple protocols for the good of all.

The PNP chief also commended the police officers who observed maximum tolerance against those who were not following the guidelines set by Comelec and other stakeholders. —KG, GMA News