Comelec unfazed by political unrest threat ahead of midterm polls

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it remains unfazed amid possible political unrest ahead of the midterm elections in May.

In an ambush interview, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia assured Filipinos that the poll body "is not affected by whatever is happening in the country."

"We ask everyone to continue maintaining our campaign in an orderly and trouble-free manner, especially since the local campaign is about to begin on 28 March," Garcia told reporters. "How we started the national campaign on 11 February until now has been smooth and peaceful in various parts of our country and even in other parts of the world where there are overseas voters. I hope that will continue."

Garcia reiterated that the Comelec will remain impartial and vowed to ensure there will be no irregularities or anomalies in the upcoming elections.

The Philippine National Police placed all its units under heightened security alert status in anticipation of protest actions following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was brought to the Netherlands on Wednesday to face charges of crimes against humanity. Human rights activists estimate that as many as 30,000 people were killed during Duterte’s anti-drug crackdowns from 2016 to 2022.