Comelec: Despite ballot snatching incidents, barangay polls going smoothly

(Updated 4:47 p.m.) Despite reported ballot-snatching and some election-related violent incidents in some parts of the country, the Comelec said the October 28 barangay polls seem to be going smoothly so far.

In a text message to presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Philippine National Police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Ruben Theodore Sindac likewise said the elections are still "generally peaceful."

And in an interview on "News To Go," Comelec chair Sixto Brillantes Jr. said, "We are trying to make a general assessment sa nangyayari... So far compared to previous elections mukhang okay pa naman. There are of course incidents pero mas konti ho.. this time."

He made the statement amid reported incidents of ballot snatching in Northern Samar in Visayas and Basilan in Mindanao.

"We are solving that problem by using improvised ballots," he said.

Jiek Compo of GMA Northern Mindanao reported a shooting incident allegedly involving a supporter of a candidate in Sitio Calacapan in Bukidnon.



Compo said a pickup and a motorcycle were recovered with bullet holes, although no victims were found inside. She said police are still investigating the incident.

Meanwhile, Brillantes said they have also received problems in transporting ballots to Calayan Island in Cagayan and Vinzons in Camarines Norte.

He said they may reset the polls in the area this afternoon or tomorrow morning.

As of Sunday, the Philippine National Police said the number of election-related violent incidents rose to 34, including 30 shootings and two stabbings

Also, it said 22 people have been reported killed, including eight barangay councilors and three barangay captains, while 27 were wounded.

Earlier, PNP spokesperson Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor said the figure, recorded since the start of the election period (Sept. 28 to Nov. 12) is higher compared to the 25 incidents reported during the entire 45-day election period for the 2010 village polls.  

In the 2007 village polls, police recorded 101 poll-related incidents, Mayor said.

As of Monday 6:05 a.m., the PNP said around 593 people have been arrested, including 551 civilians, 21 security guards, 7 policemen, 6 government officials, 5 soldiers, and 3 Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit. It likewise said 492 firearms have so far been confiscated.

PCOO: Comelec prepared for incidents

In a statement on Monday, Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio "Sonny" Coloma Jr. said the Comelec had sufficiently prepared for the reported incidents of ballot-snatching and vote-buying.

"Kasama ito sa napaghandaan ng Comelec at may nakalaang mga improvised ballots sa mga presinto upang tiyaking matutuloy ang eleksyon. Natunton din ang ilang insidente ng pamimili ng boto at pananagutin ang mga nahuli," he said.

But he noted that no big problems were reported in Lanao del Norte and Maguindanao, which he said are among the areas of concern in ARMM.
 
"Umaasa tayong wala nang gaanong magiging problema sa  bilangan ng mga balota, bagama’t patuloy na nakaantabay ang pamahalaan. Maaaring makita ng mamamayan ang malinaw na resulta ng halalan hanggang bukas," he said.

In the meantime, Coloma asked the public to continue being vigilant.

"Nanawagan kami sa sambayanan na ipagpatuloy ang pagmamasid at pagtutok sa bilanganan ng boto upang matiyak na magiging ganap ang tagumpay ng halalang ito bilang proseso sa pagpili ng mga karapat-dapat mamuno at manungkulan sa mga barangay na siyang pundasyon ng demokrasya," he said. — Kimberly Jane Tan/LBG/KG/BM, GMA News