By Mariela Angella Oladive
To ensure a peaceful and secure May 2025 Midterm Election, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Region 6, in partnership with the 301st Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army and the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6, launched the Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC) on Wednesday, November 6.
“We scheduled the launch of the RJSCC to comply with COMELEC Resolution No. 11067, which mandates its establishment two months before the start of the election period on January 12,” explained Atty. Dennis Ausan, COMELEC 6 Regional Director.
The RJSCC will serve as a central hub for coordinating security efforts among government agencies and law enforcement units, including the Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and Public Affairs and Development Office (PADPAO). Its primary role is to develop security plans and ensure the smooth conduct of the elections.
Following the RJSCC launch, Provincial Joint Security Control Centers (PJSCCs) will be convened at city and municipal levels across the region to reinforce election security.
Ausan noted that, with the recent re-establishment of the Negros Island Region (NIR), the RJSCC’s focus will be on Panay and Guimaras. He clarified that while administrative tasks would shift, the number of municipalities remained the same, allowing preparations to proceed as planned.
Police Brigadier General Jack Wanky, Director of PRO 6, assured the public that the police force has adequate manpower and is fully prepared to secure election-related activities. He added that proactive measures are being taken to address potential issues, although no significant political-related incidents have been reported so far.
Brigadier General Michael Samson of the 301st Infantry Brigade highlighted that anti-insurgency efforts have minimized regional threats. “We are confident that the situation is under control, with only remnants of insurgent groups remaining,” he said, reaffirming the military’s commitment to supporting a peaceful election.
To further enhance security, PRO 6 has implemented plans to secure mall voting centers. Additional police personnel will be deployed to malls designated as voting sites to ensure the safety of voters, supporters, and mall-goers.
“The number of officers assigned to each mall will be based on the specific security needs of the area,” Wanky explained.
In Western Visayas, five malls will serve as voting centers, with four in Iloilo City and one in Roxas City.
Meanwhile, COMELEC is set to release the official list of candidates for the 2025 National and Local Elections in December. Ausan confirmed that candidates are currently undergoing screening, including the review of disqualification petitions and nuisance candidates. This list will serve as the basis for printing official ballots for the automated elections.
COMELEC has also urged candidates to register their social media accounts in preparation for the campaign period.
