Comelec fears blackouts in parts of Mindanao

TOWERS BOMBED. This photo from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) shows a tower in Mindanao bombed on December 28, 2015. Photo courtesy of NGCP

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday, January 19, said it fears election day blackouts in parts of Mindanao after recent attacks on power transmission facilities in the southern Philippines.

In a news conference, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the poll body is set to discuss this with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

Jimenez clarified that the problem is not with vote-counting machines. These machines, after all, can run for up to 15 hours on a battery.

“The issue really is not with the elections per se. It’s with the environment of the elections. It becomes a little complicated,” he said.

One problem is if the Comelec, as in past elections, extends the voting period until around 7 pm.

“In the interest of prudence, these are things that we are already talking about – and yes, things like violence against voters, violence against teachers, things like vandalism, breaking into a locked precinct,” Jimenez said.

“These things are the possibilities that are being considered, especially if you’re looking at a situation where there is darkness,” he added.

Aquino: Tighten security

This comes after another attack on a Mindanao power facility on Monday, January 18.

MindaNews reported that unidentified attackers on Monday bombed a power transmission tower of the NGCP.

Bombers already attacked a power facility in Mindanao earlier this month, MindaNews reported.

Up to 16 towers had been bombed in 2015, the local news outlet also said. (READ: Aquino calls for meeting to address Mindanao power woes)

Jimenez said this spate of bombings also prompted the Comelec to consider expanding the scope of its gun ban committee. The poll body is thinking if the gun ban committee can “handle also election security.”

He said the Comelec, in particular, is considering if it “would more actively inquire into security situations” and “take more active roles in decision-making with regard to the deployment of forces,” among other things.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr, for his part, said the President has ordered tighter security especially after the series of bombings in Mindanao in the past two weeks. – Rappler.com