BAGUIO CITY – The Commission on Election (COMELEC) launched an aggressive ‘Oplan Baklas’ operation in the different parts of the city to remove the illegally placed campaign materials of candidates in the national level following the start of the 90-day campaign period for the said positions Tuesday.
The COMELEC in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), is working together to enforce the removal of illegal campaign materials of national candidates and party-list groups in various areas of the City.
The operation commenced in New Lucban Extension, the bridge near Barangay Cresencia Village, and a wall near Guisad National High School. Several campaign materials were taken down and confiscated by the concerned authorities.
City Election Officer John Paul Martin said that the rule for common poster areas is that these locations are designated by COMELEC. These are public spaces where candidates should construct a structure to which they can attach their posters. He stated, “If you look at the posters we removed, they were placed on public property walls, railings, overpasses, and bridges, places where posting is strictly prohibited.”
COMELEC-CAR Assistant Regional Director and Concurrent Acting Provincial Election Supervisor of Benguet Atty. Vanessa Roncal addressed concerns regarding campaign materials on private properties. She stated, “If the posters are placed on private property, we do not interfere unless the property owner complains that they did not give permission. If that happens, COMELEC will authorize their removal, and we can take action.”
Martin further emphasized that Operation Baklas aims to clean up public areas nationwide before the official start of the campaign period. This initiative is being carried out across the country, with a primary focus on checking the compliance of national candidates.
When asked whether candidates would be held liable for the posters that were taken down, he responded, “After this Operation Baklas, we will conduct an inventory of all the confiscated posters and submit them to our law department for the filing of proper charges. Since these involve national positions, legal action will follow accordingly.”
The PNP played a pivotal role in enforcing this operation. According to PCOL. Ruel D. Tagel, City Director of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) “As far as Operation Baklas is concerned, the role of the PNP is primarily to provide security to the task force. As you saw earlier, this operation is a collaboration between COMELEC officers, the DPWH, and the DENR. We will be providing security for all activities related to this operation.” By Gian Edward Laddit
