COMELEC obviously in denial

"Generally peaceful" elections claimed 130 lives and resulted to 215 cases of election related violence

Labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today assailed claims of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines that the conduct of the elections was 'generally fair and peaceful'

If the government describes as 'peaceful' the situation of 126 people killed and 215 initial cases of election related violence, we cannot imagine the COMELEC's definition of violent and disorderly elections," said KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog.

"How could the family of Nellie Banaag, the teacher who died in the fire while serving her election duties at the Pinagbayanan Elementary School, Taysan in Batangas accept government assertions that the elections are peaceful? Survivors and victims of election related violence cannot simply agree to the deceitful statements of COMELEC Chairman Benjamin Abalos. It's too early for Abalos to absolve himself from the continuing chaotic situation of the elections. COMELEC is obviously in denial on the actual situations related to the
elections."

Labog said the culture of impunity penetrated deeply into the government, including COMELEC. "Balewala na lang sa gobyerno kung marami ang namamatay at nasasaktan dahil sa mga kaso ng karahasan at pag-abuso sa karapatanng pantao."

The group said that the government must account for the continuing election related violence taking place all over the country. "Media reports and updates from the International Observers Mission (IOM) reveal the continuing cases of harassments, disruption, cheating and
various irregularities in many especially in election hotspots.

The group said that while the country is still awaiting the official results of the ongoing canvassing of votes, workers and other concerned sectors remain vigilant on incidents of cheating. We are working hard to protect the peoples' votes. Teams of poll watchers from KMU and Anakpawis Partylist are still dispatched all over Metro Manila and in all provinces. We are documenting cases of election irregularities and human rights violations. As soon as the canvassing concludes, we will consolidate the data and file appropriate charges to responsible agencies and individuals involved in election irregularities," said Labog.