Amidst elections drawing to a close, poll-watchdog protests delayed Quezon canvass, military intervention

Elections throughout the country may seem to draw to a close, but in Quezon province, the outcome remains idle.

Volunteers of the Southern Tagalog regional poll-watch dog Kontra Daya, Kontra Karahasan staged a picket protest in front of the office of the Quezon Provincial Board in Lucena City at 9am today in response to the 24-hour delay of canvassing in the province. Over a hundred protesters also denounced the ongoing military intervention in the electoral process and harassments against militant partylist groups in the province.

The provincial canvassing in Quezon ceased yesterday 12 noon due to incomplete municipal election results. Areas in the 25 municipalities were reported to be unable to transmit the results due to logistical problems such as lack of laptops and absence of a broadband signal.

As of 12noon today the provincial canvassing board has reconvened but has yet to resume their operations. In an interview by the PIOM (People’s International Observers’ Mission), provincial consolidating and canvassing system technician Judith Arcedo said official provincial counting would only start after all election results are in.

“We are appalled with the COMELEC’s and SMARTMATIC’s irresponsibility in ensuring the credibility of the votes of the people in Quezon. The more the canvassing is delayed, we know that the more we give chances to politicians to tamper on the results,” Darwin Bonrostro, Makabayan Coalition – Quezon Coordinator said.

Bonrostro highlighted the apparent hurrying of the election results in the national level yet certain areas still experience technical problems. He was surprised why the general statement for the automation was a “peaceful and smooth process” yet in areas such as Real and Pagbilao, the PCOS machines broke down and caused the delay of voting.

“The automation here is becoming more of a hindrance that a help in the election process. In Tayabas, Quezon, the municipal canvassers have already resorted to manual counting. The COMELEC must guarantee first all areas in the country are okay before it starts blaring out its claim of success,” he added.

The picket-protest also condemned the presence of the military such as what happened in Tayabas where in the morning a military and police in uniform was seen inside the canvassing area. An armed PNP with an M-16 rifle was also seen lurking outside the Municipal Hall. Also, the protesters challenged the newly elected officials to uphold the people’s agenda for genuine change such as land reform, employment and in putting an end to militarization in the province.

After the mobilization, the groups returned to their People’s Center based in Perez Park, Lucena only to find military elements trying to dismantle their center. A 6x6 miltary truck with around 30 men in full battle gear was also stationed near the center.

“We are guarding the people’s votes against any form of fraud yet the military - obviously under the orders of someone who wants to protect his interest – intimidates us. Since we have set-up our center in May 9 we have already noticed their surveillance to us,” Bonrostro said.

In the MAKABAYAN headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, suspicious looking men asked who the regional leaders were but then left when they were asked who they were,

Tin Macabetcha, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Southern Tagalog Secretary General slammed the continuing political harassment among poll watchers and militant groups. “The risks and danger exposed to vigilant people this election season is far from over. We urge the COMELEC to address the dilemma in Quezon and the ongoing military harassment and intervention as soon as possible.”