Thursday, May 17, 2007 Officials suggest more funds, personnel
ELECTION and police officers suggest more funds and personnel to improve the holding of coming elections.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) 7 Director Rene Buac led the holding of an assessment of the election yesterday with officials from the Police Regional Office 7 and the military.
The officials looked into ways to improve the holding of elections, in preparation for the presidential elections in 2010. The officials said the recent elections were peaceful and successful.
Chief Supt. Ronald Roderos, PRO 7 deputy regional director for administration, said the recent elections showed the need for more personnel. He said government should provide additional funding to recruit more policemen.
Roderos also raised the lack of police vehicles. This, he said, can delay response to election-related incidents.
Cebu City Police Office Director Patrocinio Commendador suggested changing the deadline of the filing of certificates of candidacy to allow the police more time to prepare and to see the political landscape, to guide them in the deployment of personnel.
Senior Supt. Alexander Abadinas, meanwhile, proposed that policemen be allowed to vote in their assigned precincts.
Central Command spokesperson Lt. Jefferson Omandan, meanwhile, suggested a review of the prohibition on police officers from being within 30 meters from polling precincts. He said this prohibition hinders authorities from responding to certain incidents because of fear they will violate the rule.
Buac, meanwhile, said Comelec also experienced the lack of personnel to handle the elections.
But, he said the recruitment of volunteers should be looked into to address the lack of manpower. He said the elections aren’t only the responsibility of the Comelec.
“It is not only the Comelec who will make sure of peaceful and honest elections but the people also,” he said. (Roxygane Coca, UP Mass Comm Intern)
