INTERIOR Secretary Benhur Abalos yesterday said there is no reason to postpone the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Negros Oriental since the province has been peaceful months after the assassination of former governor Roel Degamo.
Abalos, who visited Negros Oriental over the weekend, said the local police showed him a comparative crime situation report which showed that the province is more peaceful now compared to last year.
“Kanilang kinumpara ang crime rate ngayon at last year. Talagang malayo, talagang napakatahimik ng Negros Oriental. Except that one incident. Otherwise isusuma mo lahat, talagang tahimik (The police compared the crime rate this year and last year. It is really peaceful now in Negros Oriental. Except for that one incident. Otherwise if you sum it up, it is really peaceful),” Abalos told TeleRadyo Serbisyo in an interview.
Elections chairman George Garcia assured Abalos the Commission on Elections (Comelec) would “strongly consider” his position.
“We will strongly consider his (Abalos) comment. Rest assured that our decision will consider everything and everybody,” said Garcia, adding that “what is certain, so far, is that the Comelec will observe the provisions of the law.
“The law will always (be in) control,” he said.
Sen. Francis Tolentino has earlier asked the Comelec to defer the BSKE in Negros Oriental to allow security forces to have a stronger momentum in maintaining law and order after Degamo’s killing.
Pamplona town Mayor Janice Degamo, wife of the slain governor, and her allies have backed Tolentino’s proposal, which was opposed by other local officials during the public consultations held by the poll body from June 27 to 29.
The Comelec said it aims to come up with a decision on the issue at least one month before the scheduled BSKE on October 30.
Abalos said provincial officials should now focus on economic recovery, noting that tourist arrivals in Negros Oriental have steadily dropped in the past months. — With Gerard Naval
