(Eagle News) — The Palace on Wednesday, Feb. 6, downplayed any possible effect of the three blasts in Lanao del Norte the day before on the conduct of the Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite in North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte.
“No amount of bombing or terroristic act will scare, intimidate nor threaten the voters from participating in today’s plebiscite,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.
According to Panelo, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has also “provided safeguards for their safety..”
He said the military would be “in full alert to thwart any attempt from any armed group or terrorists to derail the present democratic process.”
Today’s plebiscite was held in six municipalities in Lanao del Norte, and in 39 barangays in Aleosan, Carmen, Cabacan, Midsayap, Pigkawayan and Pikit in North Cotabato.
On Jan. 21, a BOL plebiscite was held in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Cotabato City and Isabela City.
The Commission on Elections has said the BOL was deemed ratified following the majority yes votes for the law’s ratification, but added that the Feb. 6 plebiscite would push through to determine which territories would be included in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao proposed by the BOL.
