Five trucks owned by F2 Logistics, carrying Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) and other election paraphernalia, arrived Wednesday at their hub in Pala-o, Iligan City. Major Zandrex Panolong, spokesperson for the Iligan City Police Office, confirmed the cargo was transported from the seaport of Cagayan de Oro City under police escort led by Colonel Jerry Tambis, Iligan City Police Director. Police authorities will secure the hub until the equipment is dispatched before Election Day. Lawyer Joseph Hamilton M. Cuevas, Provincial Election Supervisor of Lanao del Norte, stated the ACMs are designated for Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, and Misamis Occidental. The Commission on Elections plans to conduct final testing and sealing of the ACMs tentatively in the third week of April before distribution to municipalities and barangays. Official ballots are expected to arrive in either the third week of April or the first week of May, with the schedule for final testing and sealing to be announced once finalized. Saramiya Ali, Acting Election Officer of Matungao, Lanao del Norte, confirmed the receipt of 14 ballot boxes and ACM batteries for 14 polling precincts across 12 villages. Task Force Iligan, led by Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Mark Malinit, is assisting in securing the F2 Logistics hub where the ACMs are stored. (Richel V. Umel/MindaNews).
