TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) — The May 12 National and Local Elections will push through as scheduled, according to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), despite misinformation circulating online.
To support electoral operations in other regions, 176 police officers from the Cagayan Valley region have been deployed to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), where they will serve as members of the Special Electoral Board. A send-off ceremony was recently held at the Police Regional Office 2 (PRO2) Grandstand.
Police Brig. Gen. Antonio P. Marallag Jr., regional director of PRO2, said the officers received extensive training and orientation from COMELEC to ensure they are fully prepared for their duties during the elections.
“While in BARMM, remember our philosophy: service, honor, and justice. Serve with courage and resilience for a safe and secure election,” Marallag reminded the officers.
Meanwhile, Cagayan Provincial Election Supervisor Lawyer Michael Camangeg confirmed that election personnel—including teachers, poll workers, and security teams—are fully prepared.
“All necessary training and orientations have been completed to ensure a smooth and orderly election process,” he said.
On May 7, the final testing, sealing, and distribution of Vote Counting Machines (VCMs) occurred across various polling places in the province. A total of 1,201 VCMs are expected to be deployed. The Philippine National Police (PNP) also assigned personnel to secure electoral equipment and operations.
He said technicians will be stationed near polling centers to address any technical issues with the machines. However, Camangeg expressed confidence that major disruptions are unlikely, noting that multiple layers of technical support are in place to provide immediate assistance if needed.
COMELEC is also closely monitoring election-related concerns such as vote buying and the misuse of government resources.
Additionally, the agency warned the public against fake graphics circulating on social media falsely claiming that the elections were moved to May 10, 2025.
COMELEC emphasized that no such advisory came from its office and that the misinformation did not originate from any official or verified social media accounts. (OTB/MFJ/PIA Region 2)
