Comelec places Marawi City, 7 towns in Mindanao under its control

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has placed Marawi City and seven other towns in Mindanao under its control in preparation for the upcoming May 9 elections.

The seven additional towns now under Comelec control include one in Lanao del Sur and six in Maguindanao province.

The towns in Maguindanao placed under Comelec control are Buluan, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Datu Piang, Mangudadatu, Pandag, and Sultan Kudarat.

Maguing town in Lanao del Sur was also added to the list of areas monitored by the Comelec.

This decision was made by the committee on the ban on firearms and security concerns based on recommendations from the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Regional Election Director.

Previously, Malabang and Tuburan in Lanao del Sur were also placed under Comelec control, a fact disclosed in April after the initial decision in March.

Marawi City has been undergoing rebuilding efforts since it was devastated by an extremist militant invasion in 2017.