BY IME SORNITO AND RUBY SILUBRICO
ILOILO City – The filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) and certificates of nomination and acceptance (CONAs) from Oct. 1 to Oct. 8 for the May 2022 polls in Western Visayas was generally peaceful and orderly, according to the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) and the Commission on Elections 6 (Comelec-6).
“Wala kaming natatangap na report from our different election offices na may mga untoward incidents. Nagapakita lang na we are very mature dito sa Region 6,” said Atty. Wilfred Jay Balisado, Comelec-6 director.
However, PRO-6 arrested five gun ban violators – two from Bacolod City and one each from Iloilo province, Aklan and Negros Occidental.
Permits to Carry Firearms Outside Residence (PTCFOR) were suspended in the duration of COC filing.
“Our deployment of police personnel and coordination with Comelec officials was a big help to ensure safety and orderly. We also intensified police operations resulting to the seizure of firearms,” said Police Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis, PRO-6 spokesperson.
According to Balisado, the candidates also followed the minimum health standards.
No candidate also brought large number of supporters.
Balisado has yet to determine how many candidates filed COCs in Region 6. Data consolidation is ongoing.
Comelec-6 will compile all COCs and forward them to the central office.
The police and the poll body thanked the candidates for their cooperation./PN