BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec)-Baguio started the removal of unauthorized campaign materials during the Simultaneous Nationwide Operation Baklas on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, coinciding with the start of the campaign period for national positions.
The Operation Baklas team composed of personnel from the Comelec, Department of Public Works and Highways, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources removed campaign materials of national candidates and party list groups posted in public spaces outside the COMELEC-designated common poster areas in Baguio City.
The team cleared unauthorized campaign materials at the New Lucban Extension, Brgy. Cresencia Village, and Guisad National High School.
Atty. Vanessa Roncal, Comelec-Cordillera Assistant Regional Director and Concurrent Acting Provincial Election Supervisor of Benguet, said that Operation Baklas sends a strong message that they are serious in the proper posting of campaign materials and candidates must abide by the rules.
“So, ginagawa natin eto para ipahiwatig talaga na seryoso tayo sa ating kampanya at para pasunurin sa batas ang ating mga kumakanditato, national man o local. So, tinatanggal natin lahat ng mga posters ng mga kandidato kahit tama pa ‘yung size kung ito naman ay nakalagay sa lugar na hindi Comelec common poster area, ito ay tatanggalin natin,” Roncal said.
According to Comelec-Baguio Election Officer lawyer John Paul Martin, there are rules that candidates should follow when posting their campaign materials and they must be posted in the Comelec-designated posting areas only.
He explained that the structures that will be built should be of a specific size for candidates to post their campaign posters, not on bare walls, trees, posts or bridges.
“Ang ibig pong sabihin ng COMELEC in designating a common poster area is that dito niyo ilalagay ‘yung structure, maximum size of which is 4 feet by 6 feet, isang clayboard kung saan doon niyo ididikit ang iyong mga poster. Hindi dito ‘yung didikitan niyo, dito kayo magpapatayo ng structure kung saan ‘yung poster niyo lang ang ilalagay niyo dito,” he elaborated.
He advised candidates that if they are to post their campaign materials on private properties, they must seek permission from the owners.
“I advise them to post their posters sa mga private areas magpaalam lamang kasi dito sa siyudad ng Baguio hindi naman maluwang ‘yung ating mga common poster areas.”
Martin said more ‘baklas’ operations will be conducted as the campaign period for local positions nears.
“This is a prelude so makikita mo na ‘yung proliferation ng mas madami pang posters as the days come and as the campaign for local positions will start. So, this is just the first of the Operation Baklas at madami pa tayong gagawing baklas operations in the future as the need arises. Kung compliant naman po lahat, wala tayong babaklasin, mas mainam,” Martin said.
With the help of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) providing security, the first Operation Baklas was a success.
“Sa amin po Philippine National Police, particularly Baguio City Police Office ang mandato po namin is to provide security sa mga COMELEC officers. It is only them who have the authority to take down itong mga illegal campaign posters and their representative, and when we talk about representative, ito ‘yung mga deputy from DPWH and DENR. So, sa ‘min, we provide security to this task force,” BCPO chief PCol. Ruel Tagel explained.
The Comelec will conduct an inventory of the confiscated unauthorized campaign materials, which will be submitted to the Comelec Law Department for the filing of appropriate charges. (JDP/DEG with Chelsea Mas – PIA CAR- SLU Intern)
