COMELEC officials, members of the security forces, and various stakeholders brief the public on the security measures to be implemented for the upcoming COC filing on October 1-8, 2024 in Cotabato City. (Comenie Ali/BIO)
COTABATO CITY—The Commission on Elections (COEMELEC) in this city, in coordination with the security forces, has tightened security measures to ensure orderly filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC) on Oct. 1-8, 2024.
Cotabato City Election Officer Atty. Norpaisa Paglala-Manduyog, Maguindanao del Norte Election Officer Atty. Mohammad Nabil Mutia, and Philippine National Police (PNP) Cotabato City Director Police Colonel Joel Estaris jointly announced during a press conference on Thursday, Sept. 26 that safety remains a priority during the COC filing.
In his statement on the security measures being implemented, Atty. Mutia assured the public that these are part of their broader effort to maintain a peaceful and orderly filing of COC.
“Lahat po ng kayang humanly possible [security measures] na pwedeng gawing preparation ay ginagawa na namin—just to make sure na maging peaceful and orderly filing of COC and even up to the election day,” he said.
[We have exhausted all humanly possible security measures for the preparation to ensure a peaceful and orderly filing of COC even up to the election day.]
“Napagkaisahan po nating ma-implement ang mga security measures for the safety of the aspiring candidates, employees, and the perimeter of the BGC, and secure the venue where candidates file their COC,” Mutia emphasized.
[All of us agreed to implement these security measures for the safety of the aspiring candidates, employees, and the perimeter of the BGC and secure the venue where candidates file their COC.]
COMELEC explained that aspiring candidates for Cotabato City will file their COC at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex and the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor for the aspiring candidates of Maguindanao del Norte, all inside the Bangsamoro Government Center.
Candidates in the city will vie for mayor, vice mayor, and city councilors, while candidates for MDN will vie for governor, vice governor, and congresswoman/congressman.
In addition to the security measures laid, PNP City Director Police Colonel Estaris said that re-routing will be implemented as Gov. Gutierez Avenue will be closed for public transportation.
Security forces will impose a strict policy on the following rules within and outside the Bangsamoro Government Center:
- Temporary closure of Gov. Gutierez Avenue to BGC;
- Rerouting of Public Utility Jeepneys and private vehicle to
ND Village and adjacent;
- Strictly only one (1) vehicle each candidate will be allowed to enter the BGC;
- Strictly no firearms allowed inside the BGC,
- Only one (1) vehicle each candidate will be allowed to enter the BGC:
- Along Governor Gutierez, supporters/others in the convoy will not be allowed to enter,
- Employees of BARMM with private vehicle/s will use the back gate while employees and walk-in client/s who will be affected by the rerouting will be fetched through the BARMM coaster along ND Village corner Malagapas access road;
- Out-patient for medical check-ups at Polymedic will be fetched by the RMDU ambulance;
For public reference, the filing of COC will start at 8AM until 5PM without a noon break, including weekends (Saturday and Sunday).
COMELEC reiterated that COC filing on Oct. 1-8 pertains only to local positions while COC filing for positions that comprise the 80-seat regional parliament is slated on Nov. 4-9. (Myrna Tepadan/BIO)
