Comelec sees no NPA threat to May 12 polls

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the Negros Island Region (NIR) has stated that there is no indication that the New People's Army (NPA) has the capability to disrupt the upcoming May 12 elections.

Comelec-NIR Director Lionel Marco Castillano made this assurance despite recent armed clashes involving government troops and suspected NPA members in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.

Seven suspected ranking NPA members were reportedly killed in the said encounter by units of the Philippine Army.

Castillano confirmed that both the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army have provided assurances that there is no evidence of the NPA planning to disrupt the elections.

The provincial election supervisor of Negros Occidental also reported that no voting centers were affected by the recent encounter.

While the clashes are part of ongoing counter-insurgency operations, they highlight the Philippine Army's continuous vigilance.