Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes on Friday disclosed the deployment of 500 agency personnel to the 17 Metro Manila local government units to take down illegal campaign materials.

"We deployed more than 500 MMDA personnel to the 17 local government units of Metro Manila to take down those illegal campaign materials," Artes said.

This, as officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and MMDA conducted a joint "Oplan Baklas" operation Friday on Nicolas Zamora Street in Tondo, Manila, to remove unlawful campaign materials at the start of the local campaign period for the 2025 national and local elections.

The operation was led by Comelec Chairman Atty. George Erwin Garcia and MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando Artes, aiming to clear public spaces of unauthorized campaign paraphernalia, which often clutters streets, walls, and other public areas. It is in adherence to Republic Act No. 3571 and Comelec Resolution No. 11111, which prohibit the posting or installing of campaign materials on trees and electrical posts.

Letters will be sent to candidates with "orders to remove" so that they can initiate the removal of posters in prohibited areas, and if the campaign posters are not removed within three days, Comelec will issue a show-cause order.

Garcia advised all candidates to post campaign materials only in common designated areas to avoid removal and possible disqualification cases.

Artes, for his part, said that the agency deployed its personnel from the Metro Parkways Clearing Group (MPCG) to work together with Comelec in dismantling illegal campaign materials and advertisements that violate established size and placement regulations.

"Also, as part of our coordination with Comelec, MMDA will intensify its Oplan Baklas operations to ensure compliance with election rules," said Artes.

Most of those removed were tarpaulins, posters, and other election paraphernalia hanging from tall poles, trees, electric posts, bridges, pedestrian footbridges, electric wires, and other non-designated areas.

Comelec is also urging the public to report any illicit political postings to a nearby Comelec office, the Comelec website, or its social media platforms.

The local campaign period for the 2025 elections began Friday and will last until 10 May, two days before the midterm elections set for 12 May.