The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in Angeles City will begin its Operation Baklas at 5 AM on February 11, marking the start of the official campaign period for national candidates in the 2025 elections. The initiative aims to remove illegally placed campaign materials across the city.
Oversized posters and those placed outside designated common poster areas will be torn down by the Operation Baklas Task Force, composed of COMELEC, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO). Authorities have warned candidates and supporters to comply with campaign rules to avoid penalties.
Under COMELEC regulations, campaign materials must adhere to size restrictions and can only be posted in approved locations. Violators may face disqualification or other legal consequences. Operation Baklas aims to ensure fairness in the election process and prevent visual pollution in public spaces.
The public is encouraged to report violations, as authorities intensify monitoring efforts. COMELEC Angeles emphasized that the cleanup drive is a routine enforcement of election laws and not an attack on any specific candidate or party.
With the campaign season officially underway, election officials remind candidates to follow ethical and legal campaign practices. Operation Baklas will continue throughout the campaign period to uphold electoral guidelines and maintain order in Angeles City.