By Junex Doronio
WITH THE ONGOING FEVERISH CAMPAIGN for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) this coming Monday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) placed the entire country under red alert and deployed 187,600 personnel to ensure peace and order.
PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. on Friday disclosed the full deployment of 187,600 PNP personnel for election duties on Saturday, October 28, with the alert status raised to full alert.
“Your dedication and professionalism are indispensable in upholding public trust and preserving the democratic process. I urge each and every one of you to remain vigilant, impartial, and devoted to your duty. Remember, the integrity of our electoral system rests upon our shoulders, and the nation relies on us to guarantee a peaceful and equitable election,” Acorda Jr. said in a press briefing at the Camp Crame headquarters in Quezon City.
Acknowledging the recent pre-poll violence in Cotabato, Abra Masbate, and other critical areas, Acorda Jr. said the PNP’s objective is to provide a safe and secure environment for all voters.
“First and foremost, I would like to underscore that the PNP has strategically deployed personnel nationwide to ensure the preparedness and security of our localities for the forthcoming electoral process. This is especially crucial in remote areas and those with a history of election-related incidents,” the PNP chief stressed.
He added that the deployment of police forces depends on the regional commander’s discretion based on the prevailing peace and security situation in their respective areas of operational control and supervision.
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