Año defends Comelec's Oplan Baklas: It's warning first before poster removal

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Friday defended the removal of alleged illegal campaign posters in private properties amid criticisms from candidates and concerned groups.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, Año said concerned persons are notified first by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) before the actual removal of illegal campaign posters.

"Meron naman ding warning. Bago magbaklasan diyan ay sinusulatan ng Comelec yung kung sino yung nandun sa poster para in three days ay baklasin nila," he said.

"Ngayon pag hindi pa rin binaklas siyempre maga-action na yung ating Comelec at law enforcement agencies."

(The candidate is given a warning to remove the poster in three days. If the poster is not removed then the Comelec, together with law enforcement agencies, will act.")

Año urged the candidates and their supporters to follow campaign rules

"Tayo ngayon kasi ay nasa [we are in] election period," he said. "Ang namamayani ngayon yung Omnibus Election Code at dapat susunod tayo diyan [The Omnibus Election Code takes precedence and we should follow it]."

The Comelec has been accused of trespassing and violating freedom of expression for allegedly dismantling campaign posters in private areas under its Oplan Baklas

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez earlier said their personnel get prior approval from owners of private properties before the campaign posters are taken down.

The Women Lawyers for Leni, Lawyers Against Disinformation, Filipino American Human Rights Alliance, Sandigan ng Mag-aaral para sa Sambayanan, and Now You Vote said the removal of these materials “crushes the spirit of volunteers.” --KBK, GMA News