The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has place Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao del Norte under its control following the killing of election officer Atty. Maceda Abo and her husband, Jojo, on March 26.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body has finalized a resolution officially placing the Maguindanao town under Comelec control for the May 12 midterm elections.
“The Commission en banc had placed Datu Odin Sinsuat under Comelec Control. The declaration is now effective,” he told media.
Garcia clarified, however, that they will not fully exercise their power over the local government unit (LGU) although it is allowed by law.
“We can automatically take over the LGU since it was declared under Comelec control. But if we don’t find it necessary, we won’t take over the LGU,” he said, and assured the Comelec will make the process as normal as possible.
Garcia said they would focus on the security concerns of Datu Odin Sinsuat. (With PNA)