Garcia clarifies no restriction on entry, exit of residents of areas under Comelec control

Commission on Elections Commissioner George Garcia clarified Thursday that residents of areas under Comelec control are allowed to go in and out of their respective places.

Garcia debunked reports claiming that residents will not be allowed to enter their respective areas, which are under the Comelec’s control.

“Pinapa-announce lang po namin sa mga may declaration of Comelec control, ang sinasabi po kasi sa area hindi makakapasok 'yung nasa labas na mga residente papasok sa kanilang bayan kung saan nagkaroon ng declaration ng Comelec control, hindi po totoo yon,” he said at the press briefing.

(The reports saying that areas under the Comelec control will not allow residents from entering their respective towns are not true.)

“Wala pong magbabago sa labas at pagpasok ng mga mamamayan natin lalo na sa araw ng election para makaboto,” he added.

(Nothing will change with the ingress and egress of residents especially on election day.)

The Comelec commissioner assured the public that residents will be allowed to vote, especially those in Mindanao areas.

“Huwag po kayong matatakot bumoto at huwag po kayo maniniwala na once lumabas kayo sa bayan ninyo lalo na dyan sa Mindanao na nadeclare under Comelec control hindi na raw po kayo makakapasok. Hindi po totoo 'yan,” he added.

(Do not be afraid to vote and do not believe those saying that once you leave your town, especially areas under Comelec control in Mindanao, you will not be allowed to enter, that is not true.)

The Comelec earlier placed Pilar, Abra and the province of Misamis Occidental under its control ahead of Eleksyon 2022 due to security reasons.

The poll body’s decision was prompted by the recommendation of the Regional Joint Security Control Center of Region X composed of Regional Election Director Francisco Pobe, Major General Wilbur Mamawag of the Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division (4ID) and Major General Generoso Ponio, commander of the Philippine Army's 1st Infantry Division (1ID).

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police ordered the immediate relief of the entire personnel of Pilar, Abra municipal police station upon the Comelec recommendation.—AOL, GMA News