Comelec’s Oplan Baklas yields truckloads of campaign materials


Campaign materials that were posted outside of the designated areas were seized by Commission on Elections (Comelec) authorities in Tanay and Angono in Rizal Province on Monday, Feb. 28.

In Tanay, the Comelec had to use a dump truck to haul hundreds of campaign posters, all made of tarpaulin, which were collected during the first day of “Oplan Baklas” (Operation Dismantle) in various parts of the town.

Tanay police chief Lt. Col. Ruben Piquero told Manila Bulletin that the tarpaulins were removed from electric posts or walls located along the highway and streets in the municipality.

The materials were mostly those of national and local candidates.

Piquero said the police provided security and traffic assistance as personnel of the Comelec led by election officer Yolanda Rio and the Department of Public Works and Highway were removing the campaign materials.

In Angono, Comelec election officer Frendy Del Rosario led his staff in removing the tarpaulins of candidates and party-list groups from trees and even cables of internet providers on the highway and side streets.

Members of the town government’s Public Safety and Order and cleaning and greening personnel assisted the Comelec in the dismantling operation to remove the illegally-posted campaign materials.