Comelec office ransacked

By Charlie Señase – Inquirer Mindanao

200 troops guarded Maguindanao facility

SHARIFF AGUAK, MAGUINDANAO, Philippines—Suspected thieves broke into and ransacked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial office in this capital town, but police officials were surprised over the report, saying the place was heavily secured.

In Manila, two senators on Wednesday raised suspicions about the theft and urged the Comelec head office to investigate. They said it might be part of cleaning up the cheating mess committed there during the 2004 and 2007 elections.

Senior Supt. Alex Lineses, provincial police chief, said the Comelec had not reported the robbery to police authorities and was baffled that the robbers could easily enter the Comelec office because it was being heavily secured.

“We have our men and the military securing the perimeter, both inside and outside, and it is impossible that robbers were able to penetrate [the office],” Lineses said.

At least 200 soldiers and policemen are deployed at the provincial capitol compound, which is also surrounded by a concrete fence. Employees must write their names at the gates before they can enter the compound and their offices.

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