PRO-COR says police will focus on security, won’t do Baklas Operation of illegal campaign posters

Baguio City, Philippines – Police personnel in Cordillera will not participate in any ‘Baklas Operation’ or the removal of illegal campaign posters and other materials that fail to follow Commission on Election guidelines, said the Regional Police Office on Friday, February 18, 2022.

Police Colonel Elmer Ragay of Police Regional Office Cordillera (PRO-COR) through Philippine Information Office-Cordillera underscored that they were only directed to provide security throughout the implementation of COMELEC’s ‘Oplan Baklas.’

Ragay made the remark during the 2nd Regional Joint Security Control Center Command Conference and 1st Regional COMELEC Campaign Committee Meeting held at PRO-COR.

The police is among the partners of COMELEC in the conduct of ‘Oplan Baklas.’

“We will not participate in any ‘Baklas Operation’ aside from providing security. Napakapangit ingnan na naka-uniform kami, nagbabaklas, kung ma-picture-an kami, it would be taken against us by other candidates so ‘yun po ang guidance sa amin,” explained Ragay.

Meanwhile, COMELEC expressed respect for the directive of the Philippine National Police. This, according to the commission, is for the members of the PNP to avoid speculations that they are participating in partisan politics.

What are considered lawful election propaganda?

Section 6 of COMELEC Resolution 10730 states that lawful election propaganda are pamphlets, leaflets, cards, decals, stickers or other written or printed materials which size do not exceed eight and one-half inches in width and 14 inches in length.

Also allowed are handwritten or printed letters urging voters to vote for or against any particular political party or candidate for public office.

Further, cloth, paper or cardboard posters, whether framed or posted, with an area not exceeding two feet by three feet, except that, at the site and on the occasion of a public meeting or rally, or in announcing the holding of said meeting or rally, streamers not exceeding three feet by eight feet in size, shall be allowed.

Oversized posters and campaign materials put up outside the designated common poster areas will be taken down by COMELEC, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Department of Public Works and Highways.

LISTEN TO STATION 1 RADIO: click me

OTHER NEWS

Kalinga LGU to host Community-based Renewable Energy Summit

Follow Guru Press Cordillera on Facebook for more News and Information