In a concerted effort to enforce election regulations, personnel from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Central Visayas kicked off Operation ‘Baklas’ on Tuesday, the first day of the 90-day national campaign period. The initiative targets campaign materials improperly placed on government facilities, national highways, and other unauthorized locations across Metro Cebu.
Comelec-7 Director Francisco Pobe emphasized that this nationwide operation will persist throughout the campaign period, ensuring compliance with election laws. In Mandaue City, the operation saw collaboration with local agencies including the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue, the Mandaue City Police, and the Department of Public Works and Highways.
The Supreme Court’s ruling prohibits the removal of materials from private properties without the owner’s consent, adding a layer of complexity to the operation. However, Mandaue City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia has taken a firm stance, deploying personnel from the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to conduct a separate Operation ‘Baklas’.
Mayor Garcia stressed the importance of environmental considerations, stating that campaign materials attached to trees, utility posts, and traffic signs are not only illegal but also harmful to the environment. He called on all candidates to remove their materials from these locations voluntarily, warning that non-compliance would result in forced removal, regardless of political affiliations.