THE COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) XI announced Wednesday that it will intensify its “Operation Baklas,” the campaign to remove illegally posted campaign materials.
Candidates who fail to comply may face charges, according to Atty. Gay Enumerables, Comelec XI assistant regional director.
Enumerables made the announcement during the Davao Peace and Security Press Briefing held Wednesday at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.
“The campaign period for national positions has already begun, along with the election period prohibitions, and our local campaign will start on March 28,” she said.
According to Comelec XI, the operation involved removing campaign materials outside of the designated common poster areas, such as those found on trees, poles, building walls, and public structures. Also removed were campaign posters exceeding the size limit of 2×3 feet.
Since the start of the election period on Jan. 12, 2025, the police and Comelec conducted a series of regional joint security command conferences at Camp Catitipan, Buhangin.
“Several individuals have been apprehended for illegal possession [of firearms] and gun ban violations,” Enumerables said.
“We also had a kickoff for Operation Baklas, with participation from Comelec, PNP, AFP, DPWH, DENR, and other government agencies. It was successful, although not to the same extent as in Davao City, where many illegally posted materials were removed. We did remove a significant number [of materials] though.”
“In the coming weeks, our chairman wants us to be very aggressive regarding campaign materials,” Enumerables explained.
“The plan is to send out notices to remove illegally posted campaign materials, especially those on posts. Those given notice will have three days to remove the materials. If they don’t remove them, we have a Special Task Force for illegally posted campaign materials – a Special Task Force Baklas.”
“After the three-day notice period, if the materials are still not removed, the Task Force will send a show-cause order,” she added.
“Our chairman is very aggressive about this because he sees many violations. Right after the show-cause order, we will prepare for the filing of cases,” she further said.
The Comelec worked with the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) to enforce “Oplan Baklas,” a campaign to dismantle illegal campaign materials beginning Feb. 11, 2025.
Oplan Baklas will be conducted simultaneously in the three districts of Davao City, with designated areas and security personnel assigned for each district.
