Despite recent armed encounters, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the Negros Island Region (NIR) assured the public that there are no signs the New People’s Army (NPA) can disrupt the May 12 elections.
Comelec-NIR Director Lionel Marco Castillano gave the assurance on Monday after government troops clashed with suspected NPA members in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental over the weekend, resulting in the deaths of seven suspected ranking rebels.
“We have received assurances from both the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army that, as of now, there is no evidence suggesting the NPA intends to disrupt the elections,” Castillano said.
He added that reports from the Kabankalan City election officer confirmed no voting centers were affected by the encounter.
Castillano emphasized that the clashes were part of regular counter-insurgency operations and not election-related, noting, “This proactive stance also provides us with added assurance that we can expect a peaceful and orderly election day, free from any untoward incidents.”
During the NIR Regional Joint Security Control Center meeting in Sibulan, Negros Oriental, police and military officials also pledged sufficient security deployments to ensure a safe election, including preparations for a possible Alert Level 4 eruption of Mt. Kanlaon.
