Negros Oriental Imposes Province-Wide Curfew Ahead of Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections

Dumaguete City – A province-wide curfew has been set in Negros Oriental, starting two days before the Oct. 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

According to a news release by the Philippines News Agency, the curfew aims to avert violence and prevent vote buying. Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) regional election director for Central Visayas, announced that the curfew will begin at 10 p.m. on Saturday and end at 4 a.m. on Sunday. It will resume at 10 p.m. on Sunday and last until 4 a.m. on Monday, which is election day.

Castillano stated that the curfew will not be imposed earlier than Oct. 28 to allow candidates more time for their campaigns. He noted that the curfew seeks to prevent vote buying, threats, and intimidation against votes and candidates. The curfew is applicable to individuals of all ages, but exemptions will be made for those who work at call centers, law enforcement officers, and other authorities required to be active during the curfew hours. These exempted individuals will need to provide proof of their work responsibilities, as security forces will be available for verification. Violators of the curfew will be detained and released at 5 a.m. the following day.

The Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC) in Central Visayas, headed by Castillano, convened to discuss the operational plans and guidelines concerning the Comelec-controlled status of Negros Oriental. The meeting took place at the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office and included provincial election officers and officials from the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, Coast Guard, and Bureau of Fire Protection. Minor adjustments were made to the already approved security contingency plan for the coming elections.

Negros Oriental had been placed under Comelec control in August to ensure the safe, peaceful, and orderly conduct of elections. This move was prompted by concerns about violence following the assassination of Governor Roel Degamo on March 4.