Comelec may deploy police to Maguindanao election boards after slay

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is considering deploying police officers as members of electoral boards in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte for the upcoming May elections.

This move comes in response to the recent ambush and killing of election officer Bai Maceda Lidasan-Abo and her husband in the said town.

Around 7,000 personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) are undergoing training by Comelec and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to potentially serve in these electoral boards.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia stated that the commission en banc will approve the deployment of PNP members from other regions if necessary, particularly in areas affected by violence, to ensure the integrity of the elections.

Garcia emphasized the commission's commitment to ensuring that the voices of the people are heard and that they will take all necessary actions to achieve this.

The Comelec is also contemplating placing Datu Odin Sinsuat under its direct control due to the incidents.

Furthermore, Garcia suggested that the replacement for the slain election officer should ideally be someone from the Bangsamoro Region who understands the local context.