OVER 200,000 illegally placed campaign posters and materials have been removed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) as of May 3, a police official said.
PNP spokesperson Colonel Bernard Banac said they have conducted more than 12,000 police operations against unlawful and misplaced campaign materials since January 13, the beginning of the election period, until May 3, 10 days ahead of the midterm elections.
A total of 245,716 pieces of illegal and misplaced posters and materials have been removed and torn down, he said.
Banac said the top five areas with the biggest number of removed illegally placed campaign materials were the Bicol region with 36,885, Northern Mindanao with 31,041, Central Luzon with 21,734, Calabarzon with 18,358 and Western Visayas with 17,942.
Despite the campaign, Banac said new posters and campaign materials continue to sprout and appear in places not allowed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
"Thus, we urge and call upon all supporters of candidates to obey the Comelec rules on proper placement of campaign posters and materials to maintain discipline and order in public places," said Banac.
"We commend all those who follow the rules and have voluntarily removed or transferred their posters and campaign materials to the proper and authorized places designated by the Comelec," he added.
According to the Comelec, campaign materials can only be posted in common poster areas.
Posters may be put up in private property but this must have the permission of the owner and the required size of the materials will also have to be observed.
The Comelec may sanction candidates for failing to follow such rules. (SunStar Philippines)