CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Cebu City assured the public that they will take into consideration the request of reelectionist Mayor Tomas Osmeña to put the city under their control during the May 13, 2019 midterm elections.
Lawyer Marchel Sarno, the Cebu City South District election officer, said that Osmeña must first send a letter to the Regional Director of Comelec in Central Visayas (Comelec-7) to make a request. The letter of recommendation will then be sent to the national office of the Comelec in Manila, where it will be studied and analyzed if indeed Cebu City must be placed under Comelec control for the elections.
Read more: Osmeña wants Cebu City under Comelec control
Osmeña said that he understands it will be difficult for his request to be granted because the Comelec may need the recommendation of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“The enemy is the police. If the police will have to do the complaints, the we are doomed,” said Osmeña.
In previous statements, Osmeña accused the police of being behind the strafing incidents in the homes of the barnagay chiefs of Malubog, Sudlon II, and Sinsin.
Read more: Homes of two village chiefs peppered with bullets
Osmeña also accused the police of threatening members and supporters of the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) in various incidents involving checkpoints.
“We are mindful of that situation. Comelec is not directly under the helm of any of its partner agencies. We can accept any recommendation,” said Sarno.
However, Sarno said that a recommendation is not a guarantee that it will be followed by the Comelec since the Comelec has its own parameters in identifying if an area should be placed under their control.
Read more: House of BO-PK supporter strafed, another was slapped on the face
These parameters includes history of violence in the past election, presence of armed men in an area, rampant use of loose firearms, history of being placed under Comelec control.
Placing an area under Comelec control would give the Comelec the immediate and direct control of all government employees of the area and full supervision of all government agencies.
Osmeña said the Comelec has to look into the situation on the ground level and hope that they would prioritize the safety of the voters.
Read more: Persons in white van attack Osmeña ally’s car showroom
“They (Comelec) are entitled to do what they can do,” said Osmeña. /bmjo