Comelec control committee formed to handle ‘hot spots’

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has created a Comelec Control Committee (CCC) which shall oversee the areas that have been, and will be placed under its control.

Based on Resolution No. 10501, the committee shall be composed of the Chairman, who is a commissioner of the Comelec; Vice Chairman, who is also a poll commissioner; representative of the Philippine National Police; representative of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Project Management Office for the elections.

The Comelec en banc said the CCC shall have the authority to create a Special Task Force team.

"The task force will act as the implementing arm with regard to the decisions, order, and other

issuances in relation to the enforcement of the Comelec Control," read the resolution.

The Special Task Force shall be composed of representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), from the Comelec Field Office or Office of the Election Officer, PNP Regional Director, designated AFP Division or Brigade Commander, and Regional Election Director (RED).

The Comelec en banc said the Comelec Law Department, represented by its Director, shall act as Secretariat.

Under the law, the Comelec may place any political subdivision under its immediate and direct control and supervision if, among other things, there is a history of, or current intense political rivalry among contending parties, and as such, rivalries could motivate people to engage in violent acts.

Apart from immediately taking control over all national and local officials in the affected area, when a place is declared to be under Comelec control, the CCC exercises full control and supervision over all national and local law enforcement agencies, as well as military officers and men, assigned or deployed in the area.

Last month, Comelec control had been declared over the municipality of Daraga in Albay and Cotabato City.