Socorro town under close Comelec monitoring ahead of barangay, SK elections

The Commission on Elections said it is closely monitoring developments in Socorro municipality, Surigao del Norte ahead of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on 30 October.

Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said the poll body wants to ensure there will be no failure of election in the area.

"Dapat maayos at makakaboto sila nang walang pressure, walang dikta ng kahit na sino, at the same time, base sa kung ano ang kalooban nila (They should be able to vote without pressure, no influence from others, but according to their will)," he said in a media interview on Thursday.

The security situation in Socorro municipality is currently being assessed amid the ongoing investigation by the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, which began on Thursday. on the alleged presence of a shabu laboratory and a heavily armed private army within the town's Sitio Kapihan, Barangay Sering,

The senate joint panel is also investigating the alleged systematic rape, sexual abuse, trafficking, forced labor and child marriage in the area perpetrated by a local cult.

"'Yun ang issue sa Socorro and that's the reason why the Comelec is monitoring closely the development in Socorro and likewise 'yung hearing d'yan sa Senado (That's the issue in Socorro and that's the reason why Comelec is monitoring closely the development in Socorro and likewise the Senate hearing)," Garcia said.

Garcia urged the town's residents not to worry about a "possible postponement of the elections" in the area, as he noted that the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines have not yet recommended deferring the election.

"There should be no failure of election in any part of the country and we can hold the elections at all costs," he added.