NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the start of the local campaign in the province was generally peaceful and like a festival, as supporters are out in the open and cheering for their candidates.
"We hope to maintain that [peace] in the remaining days of the campaign," he said.
The 45-day campaign period for local candidates began on Friday, March 25.
The Philippine National Police earlier identified red areas in Negros Occidental, including Escalante City and the towns of Calatrava, Moises Padilla and Candoni.
The governor said these areas have sightings of armed men.
Meanwhile, as to health protocol violations during campaign rallies, Lacson said it is something that is beyond their control.
“In all rallies, it is clear that there are violations of (health) protocols,” he said.
Despite this, the top official of the province is hopeful that there will be no coronavirus disease (Covid-19) surge after the elections.
In the province’s capital city, meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Sherlock Gabana, spokesperson of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), also warned supporters of the candidates to follow health protocols.
This, after several supporters of Team Asenso and Grupo Progreso (GP) were reprimanded by the police on Saturday, March 26, during their grand rallies for not wearing a face mask and not observing proper social distancing.
Gabana said the violators were given a first warning at the Paglaum Sports Complex and public plaza.
“So far, their grand rallies were peaceful with no untoward incidents reported,” he said, adding that policemen and force multipliers were deployed in the venues of the rallies to maintain the peace and order.
Gabana said they are hopeful that all candidates will always remind their supporters to follow health protocols to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
“They should serve as an example to their supporters especially when they are campaigning in various barangays,” he said.
He added that BCPO Director Colonel Thomas Joseph Martir also tasked all the station commanders to monitor the campaign activities within their areas of jurisdiction.
Acting Bacolod Election Officer Revo Sorbito earlier said that they will also submit their monitoring report to the Comelec national office.
Comelec Resolution 10732 stated that all candidates are no longer allowed to have a close encounter with their supporters and the public during conventions, caucuses, meetings and rallies as a protective measure against Covid-19.