Paterno Esmaquel II and Michael Bueza report:

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is facing an investigation for another possible data breach after one of its computers in the town of Wao, Lanao del Sur, was stolen.

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista confirmed to Rappler on Thursday, February 16, “Merong computer sa election office ng Wao, Lanao del Sur, na nanakaw.” (A computer in the election office of Wao, Lanao del Sur, was stolen.)

Bautista said this computer fell in the hands of thieves in January.

Rappler learned from an informed source that the stolen computer contains the sensitive personal information, including the biometrics, of the Philippines’ 55 million voters.

Read more on Rappler. There’s an allegation in there that is also somewhat concerning: “every municipality in the Philippines reportedly holds the biometrics of all of the Philippines’ 55 million voters.”  Even if they use strong encryption, this does not strike me as a good idea.