Comelec to Recommend Lifting Control Over Maguindanao Towns
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia is set to recommend lifting Comelec control over Buluan in Maguindanao del Sur and Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte for the upcoming 2025 Bangsamoro parliamentary elections. This move aims to ease election management in these key areas.
Garcia shared this development during an ambush interview coinciding with the start of the election period on Thursday. “In the meantime, ang sabi ng ating Commissioner-in-charge sa BARMM parliamentary elections, sa pagsisimula ire-rekomenda muna ang pagli-lift o wala muna tayo ilalagay na comelec control,” he said.
Technical and Formal Steps for Control Lifting
He explained that technically, since the national and local elections have concluded, Comelec control over these towns has already been lifted automatically. However, Garcia emphasized the importance of a formal declaration from the commission to clearly state that Buluan and Datu Odin Sinsuat will not be under Comelec control at the start of the election period.
“Technically dahil natapos na ang national and local elections automatically lifted yon pero mas maganda may formal declaration ang commission na ang Buluan at Datu Odin Sinsuat ay hindi under Comelec control sa pagsisimula pa lang ng election period,” he added.
Context: Previous Recommendation to Place Datu Odin Sinsuat Under Control
Earlier reports indicated that Garcia had recommended placing Datu Odin Sinsuat under Comelec control after a tragic incident involving an election officer. According to sources, lawyer Maceda Abo, the election officer of Datu Odin Sinsuat, and her husband Jojo Abo were ambushed while heading to the municipal election office in Barangay Dalican.
Jojo Abo was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. Maceda sustained severe injuries and was rushed for treatment but later succumbed to her wounds, officials reported. This incident heightened concerns about election security in the area.
Ensuring Peaceful Elections in Bangsamoro
The recommendation to lift Comelec control reflects ongoing efforts to balance security concerns with the autonomy of local governance in Bangsamoro. Community leaders noted that formalizing this decision will provide clarity and stability as the parliamentary elections approach.
As the election period unfolds, authorities remain vigilant to ensure a safe and fair voting process throughout Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte.
For more news and updates on Bangsamoro parliamentary elections, visit Filipinokami.com.
