In Cagayan de Oro City, the Commission on Elections in Northern Mindanao (Comelec-10) has ramped up its security preparations for the upcoming 2025 midterm elections by fully activating the Regional Joint Security and Control Center (RJSCC). Comelec-10 Director Renato Magbutay, speaking at a media briefing, emphasized the center’s collaboration with law enforcement to assess potential security risks across the region during the campaign and post-election periods. A specialized team, comprising members from the police and military, has been commissioned to compile and classify a list of municipalities and cities based on their security status. This team began its task on January 6 and has been allotted two weeks to complete their assessment. Magbutay also confirmed the enforcement of a nationwide election gun ban starting January 12. Concurrently, the Bukidnon Provincial Police Office initiated its own Provincial Joint Security and Control Center to aid the RJSCC’s efforts. In Iligan City, under the guidance of acting Director Col. Jerry Tambis, the police are preparing to establish checkpoints at key locations starting January 12, aligning with the gun ban’s commencement.
