Comelec chief lambasts election aspirants ordering attacks on officials

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Garcia on Dec. 23 remained firm with his condemnation as he answered questions from the media regarding the recent attacks on election officials and their families across the country, calling them ‘particularly disturbing.’

"Mas kahindik-hindik at mas karima-rimarim, na nadadamay ang mga taong hindi naman yung mismong inaaway nila," Garcia stressed to reporters.

This statement follows after a pair of motorcycle-riding gunmen opened fire at a vehicle in broad daylight carrying Sulu Provincial Election Supervisor Vidzfar Amil Julie and his brother, a former barangay captain, in Zamboanga City on Dec. 21.

The attack, to which the Comelec later confirmed as election-related, left the provincial election supervisor unharmed, while his brother died from a gunshot wound sustained in the ambush.

According to Garcia, some candidates in the elections 'order' attacks on these officials when their personal requests are denied, which was the case for the ambushed poll executive, who reportedly rejected demands before the attack.

He also said that the police investigations so far have also pointed to the possibility of a politician masterminding the killing.

“Hayaan nating gumulong ang imbestigasyon. Pero more or less, politiko ito, sapagkat marami kasi na mga request na hindi pinagbigyan,” Garcia claimed.

“‘Yung mga request na sa paniniwala [ni Julie], ay makakapag-ensure ng unequal opportunity para sa mga kandidato diyan sa isang parte ng probinsya ng Sulu," he added.

The poll body chief also mentioned that some politicians have asked the Comelec to move polling precincts in their areas and provide them with lists of voters along with their photos.

When their requests are not granted, these officials start turning hostile, threatening election officials for allegedly ‘siding with the opponent.’

"If you don’t grant their requests, the Comelec officers are accused of siding with the opponent… they’ll threaten or harm our people. That’s how some politicians think," Garcia said.

Despite the daylight ambush, Garcia firmly stated that the poll official would remain in his post.

“We will not replace our provincial election supervisor because if we do that, it would appear that the Comelec is a coward and would give a semblance of success to the ambush," Garcia said.

The chairperson also mentioned that Sulu would not be declared an 'area of concern' or placed under 'Comelec control,' emphasizing that a single unfortunate incident should not be attributed to the entirety of Zamboanga City.

"Ang isang insidente ng karahasan ay di dapat gawing basehan para sabihing ang buong probinsya ay ilagay sa Comelec control or area of concern. Napakaunfair sa ekonomiya, sa pamamahala, sa [local government unit] LGU ng mismong lugar," Garcia explained.

An area may be declared an 'area of concern' if election-related violence has occurred, if intense political rivalry is ongoing, or if private armed groups are present.

In such a situation, Comelec assumes direct supervision over local law enforcement and government officials to ensure peace and order during elections.

Garcia also called on the Philippine National Police to immediately arrest the perpetrators and urged them with the Department of the Interior and Local Government to dismantle private armed groups tp prevent further violence before the 2025 elections.