The Commission on Elections said on Wednesday that the agency will suspend its registration in Israel amid the ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said in an interview that the suspension is indefinite during the Memorandum of Agreement, or MOA signing between the Comelec and the Legal Network for Truthful Elections in relation to the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on 30 October.

"The en banc made a decision earlier that we are suspending the registration of our countrymen in Israel. We do not want to sacrifice their lives and their safety, of course, we want them to be protected, and at the same time, they will no longer think of heading to the embassy and to our consulate. No matter where they are, they should stay there for their safety as well," Garcia said.

Garcia advised the candidates to abide by the prohibition of premature campaigning and only spend five pesos per registered voter.

"I repeat to our candidates that they need to comply with our prohibition on premature campaigning. Continue to spend five pesos per registered voter only applicable from October 19 to 28, that means it is necessary to show receipts that you will submit to us, to the Comelec," he said.

"It is necessary to only spend from  October 19-28 because outside of that period of time, it will no longer be covered by the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) or it can be considered as illegal expenditure. At the same time, we must remember to not exceed to the requirement of spending five pesos per registered voter only," Garcia added.

The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement for Voter Education in select Indigenous Peoples Communities was led by the Commission on Elections and the Legal Network for Truthful Elections in relation to the 30 October Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.