BY: VANESSA BUGTONG
For decades, Baguio City has consistently maintained its green alert status during elections.
This means elections in the city have been clean, orderly, and peaceful.
According to Atty. John Paul Martin, Election Officer – Commission on Elections (COMELEC) – Baguio, “Our city has been peaceful since time immemorial. However, this should not make us complacent because we are already at the peak, and the only way forward is to go down, where unexpected threats may arise.”
As early as now, COMELEC, in partnership with other agencies, is diligently preparing to ensure the safety of the 2025 elections.
“Baguio takes great pride in having unique elections. However, this is no reason for us not to prepare extensively,” Martin added.
“We have the resources, but we must emphasize collaboration,” said PCol. Ruel Tagel, City Director – Baguio City Police Office (BCPO).
They have also reintroduced the proper use of the new automated counting machines, which can now read folded or torn ballots.
Strict monitoring will also be enforced under COMELEC Resolution No. 11067, the “Consolidated Resolution on Rules and Regulations on Prohibitions on Bearing, Carrying, or Transporting of Firearms and Other Deadly Weapons.”
This will be implemented from January 12, 2025, to June 11, 2025.
More than 500 personnel from the BCPO will be deployed on election day.
