Police Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao, officer-in-charge of the Philippine National Police (PNP), assured the more than 66 million voters across the country of their security in today's national and local elections.

In a statement, Danao said adequate number of policemen, backed by soldiers and Coast Guard personnel, were already deployed to secure a total of 37,213 voting centers across the country.

The polling precincts are open at 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Danao said the preparations that the PNP made and the presence of government forces to secure the elections would encourage the voters to go out and exercise their right to vote.

"It is our hope that the reassuring presence of our police, military and coast guard election security personnel will further add to heighten the optimism and outlook of peaceful and orderly elections until the final process of proclamation," said Danao.

"There should be no reason to be fearful of any outbreak of violence. The security category of areas is designed purposely as basis for deployment of security forces to preclude any window of opportunity for the perennial peace spoilers," he added.

He said security personnel will be stationed in the immediate vicinity of voting centers but will remain outside the polling precincts unless their presence is requested by the Electoral Board.

Danao said that for the PNP, the national and local elections are not only about choosing leaders but also another test on government security forces in handling a national event that involves millions of Filipinos.

"More importantly this election will test our political will and unity as a sovereign people to guarantee the exercise of this democratic right that is free from fear, violence, fraud, disinformation and social dislocation," said Danao.