Metro Cebu: Personnel of various election offices in Metro Cebu began removing election materials placed in prohibited spots, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) 7 Central Visayas said on Tuesday. Comelec-7 Director Francisco Pobe stated that this is a nationwide effort by the poll body, focusing on materials posted on government-owned facilities, national highways, or outside designated poster areas.

According to Philippines News Agency, Tuesday marked the beginning of the 90-day campaign period for national positions, and the monitoring and removal of illegally posted materials will persist throughout this period. In Mandaue City, Comelec officials were assisted by members of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue, Mandaue City Police, and the Department of Public Works and Highways during the removal process.

Due to a Supreme Court ruling, materials affixed to private properties are not subject to removal without the property owner’s consent. In support of the operation, City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia dispatched personnel from the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) to conduct a separate operation, known as ‘Operation Baklas’.

Mayor Garcia emphasized the importance of removing all materials from non-designated areas such as trees, utility posts, and traffic signs, stating, “There’s no exception. All materials should be removed if they are tacked or hung in trees – that is not environment-friendly – in utility posts and traffic signs.” He urged candidates to voluntarily remove their campaign materials from these locations and assured that if they did not comply, the city would proceed with the removal. “If they will not take them down, we will take them down, even if the posters are mine or of my party mates or belonging to other parties. We will take them down,” he added.