CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) — The filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) in the Calabarzon Region for the 2022 Philippine National and Local Elections was “generally peaceful,” according to the Police Regional Office (PRO) Calabarzon.

In a statement, the PRO Calabarzon said there were no recoded untoward incidents during the period of filing of COCs which started from October 1 to 8 and the withdrawal and substitution of candidates from October 9 to November 15, except on violations of Covid-19 protocols.

According to the PRO Calabarzon, incidents on violation of the minimum public health standards include the mass gathering that occurred on October 24 at the residential resort of Mayor Noel Luistro of Mabini, Batangas.

A video footage of the incident circulated on social media prompted the Regional Investigation and Detection Management Division to conduct an investigation. It was later endorsed to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as the investigation revealed violation of Covid-19 protocols.

Another incident reportedly found violating the minimum public health standards also include the crowd of people during the visit of Senator Manny Pacquiao in Lipa City, according to PRO Calabarzon.

Police Brigadier General  Eliseo DC Cruz said the members of PRO CALABARZON are well prepared not only during the election season but also on its daily law enforcement operations particularly in enforcing the ordinances imposed by the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force.

“Nakahanda tayo sa ano mang mga pangyayari na maaring magdulot ng hindi innasahang insidente sa panahon ng eleksyon gayundin ang pagsiguro na patuloy pa rin ang pagsunod sa Minimum Health Standard sa gitna ng Covid-19 pandemic,” the Regional Director said. (with reports from Calabarzon PRO)