So far, peace and order prevailed at the start of the election period on Sunday with zero arrest in the implementation of the gun ban.
PSupt. Ricky Delelis, spokesman of the Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) noted that the entire province has been generally peaceful, but authorities have to defy the temptation of complacency.
Checkpoints have been set up in strategic areas and more police personnel have been deployed to public places to improve police visibility.
More troops have also been deployed to areas declared as Election Watchlist Areas (EWAs) such as the towns of Buenavista, Ubay, Inabanga, Cortes, Danao and Antequera.
However, Delelis said the situations in these areas still have to be validated by the police and the army during the assessment of the Provincial Joint Peace and Security Council.
There is possibility that the number of EWAs identified based on the history of election-related violence will be reduced or increased.
On the other hand, additional army troops arrived on Monday from Negros Occidental to augment law enforcers in Bohol to ensure a peaceful and orderly elections on May 9.
Lt. Col. Jose Dodjie Belloga Jr., commander of 47th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army said they are assisting the Philippine National Police (PNP) here in manning checkpoints in line with the joint peace and order agreement.
Aside from ensuring a peaceful and orderly elections in May, Belloga said they are also training for continued services of the Countryside Development Program-Purok Power Movement (CDP-PPM) to the barangays.
Belloga also said no military unit has been assigned to serve as security escorts to any politician, government official or civilian in Bohol to prevent the rise of private armies.
In the entire duration of the election period from January 10 to June 8, no person is allowed to “bear, carry or transport firearms or deadly weapons outside of their residence or place of business, and in all public placesâ€, according to the Comelec.
Instead of commencing on February 9 which is 90 days prior to the elections on May 9, the Comelec moved it earlier to January 10 this time.
For his part, Fr. Felix Warli Salise of the Social Action Center, calls on the electorate to choose wisely and to prefer candidates who can serve the public well.
Salise also appealed to supporters of candidates to focus on the programs and platforms that will address the needs of the people.
He said the church reminds the supporters to refrain from mudslinging because it do no good to the community.
Salise also said the church also tries to solicits the cooperation of the public in reducing vote-buying.