Sulu not yet an ‘area of concern’ or for ‘Comelec control’ – chief

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Garcia. – Sulu is neither an “area of concern” nor a province that should be placed under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) at this point, the poll body chief said Monday, December 23, 2024. INQUIRER.net file photo / NOY MORCOSO

MANILA, Philippines — Sulu is neither an “area of concern” nor a province that should be placed under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) at this point, the poll body chief said Monday.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said a single violent incident should not be a basis for putting an entire province under the constitutional body’s control or declaring it an area of concern.

Garcia’s explanation followed Saturday’s armed attack on Sulu provincial election supervisor (PES)Atty. Vidzfar Julie in Zamboanga City. The Sulu PES survived the ambush, but his brother, who was with him inside the car, died.

READ: Election officer survives ambush in Zamboanga City – Comelec chief

The Comelec chief also said the unfortunate incident should not be attributed to Zamboanga City.

“Ang isang insidente ng karahasan ay di dapat gawing basehan para sabihing ang buong probinsya ay ilagay sa Comelec control or area of concern… Napakaunfair sa ekonomiya, sa pamamahala, sa LGU ng mismong lugar,” Garcia said in an ambush interview.

(One violent incident should not be a basis to put a whole province under the Comelec control or area of concern… It is unfair for the economy, and the local government of the province.)

“Ayaw nating i-attribute sa Zamboanga City. Mali na sabihin na may breakdown ng peace and order sa Zamboanga pero ang sinasabi natin na kapag ikaw ay susundan ng masamang tao, kahit saan ka, pwedeng mangyari ‘yan,” he added.

(We don’t want to attribute this to Zamboanga City. It’s wrong to say that there is a breakdown of peace and order in Zamboanga but what we are saying is that when threats would follow you wherever you may be, that could happen.)

READ: Comelec to PNP: Resolve slay case of South Cotabato vice mayoral bet

Garcia then reiterated that any threats, injuries, or deaths faced by politicians, poll aspirants, and election officers are considered election-motivated even when the election period is not yet in effect.

He renewed his call to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Department of Interior and Local Government to dismantle private armed groups to ensure the safety and orderliness of the May 2025 elections.

The poll body chief said the PNP is currently collecting information to determine the areas that must be placed under Comelec control.