Former Negros Occidental governor Rafael “Lito” Coscolluela said on Monday, April 25, that he agrees with the call of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to file formal complaints against those engaged in election “dirty tricks”, including threats and intimidation, but witnesses are afraid to come forward.
Acting Negros Occidental Provincial Elections Supervisor Roberto Salazar said the concerns of Coscolluela have reached his attention but not officially.
Formal complaints should be filed, he said.
Threats, intimidation and terrorism during the campaign period and on election day are poll offenses, Salazar said, so they will give due course to such complaints but they must be supported by evidence.
Coscolluela, at a press conference on Friday, called on the Comelec to investigate dirty tricks, including threats and intimidation, against supporters of Vice President Leni Robredo in Negros Occidental.
“Yes it is necessary to have a formal complaint for Comelec to act on the incidents, our problem is we will have a hard time getting witnesses willing to sign affidavits because they do not want to risk their lives and I can understand that, they are defenseless,” he said.
“We are just pointing this out to make the public realize that the dirty tricks are surfacing, in fact they are intensifying,” Coscolluela said.
On Monday, he received a report that there are people being paid P1,000 a day to remove the campaign posters of Robredo, Coscolluela said.
One group that says their candidate is sure to win is the one using these tactics, he said.
“As a proactive measure we will be meeting with the AFP and PNP on how to prevent illegal activities,” Salazar said.
They will ensure that people will be able to exercise their free will and that the elections are peaceful, he said.*