Comelec-10 sees martial law extension beneficial to polls

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent .

The regional office of the Commission on Election sees favorable development for the possible extension of martial law in the island of Mindanao especially when it goes beyond the mid-term election this coming May.

This was the pronouncement made by Comelec-10 regional director Renato Magbutay on Saturday that martial law extension would greatly help maintain the peace and order situation during the campaign and election period.

Magbutay made a pronouncement over a local radio program saying the extension of martial law would be positive for the mid term elections.

However, he clarified that Comelec does not want for the extension of martial law because it is a political decision by the present administration but it will greatly help in maintaining the peace and order condition. Comelec is an independent office.

“More effective in the psychological sense because law enforcement units will implement stricter imposition of the law against any violence related during the campaign period and the election day,” he said.

Magbutay said the usual responsibility of the law enforcement agency like the Philippine Army, Philippine Marines, the Philippine National Police and any other law enforcement agencies is a normal duty that they will extend to Comelec.

“Manpower and security plan is mao ra gihapon. Psychological ra ang bati-on sa mga tawo nga dunay martial law. Law enforcement agencies will deploy units that regularly serve the activity,” he pointed out.

He said they consider the successful holding of the barangay election wherein no single barangay unit in Mindanao has been declared as a failure for election can be attributed to the psychological effect in the current implementation of martial law.

“Nahapsay ang election and no failure of election. Na-feel sa mga tawo that they feel secure. Martial law checkpoints ang dako og gikatabang,” he added.