By Danny Estacio
CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna– The conduct of 2019 Midterm Elections in five rich-vote provinces in the CALABARZON region is considered generally peaceful, said Police Regional Office 4A Police Brigadier General Edward Carranza.
Carranza said “except for incidents of vote-buying, we are very thankful that the public has shown their support and cooperation with the authorities so that we could all have safe and peaceful elections,” said Carranza.
CALABARZON had 14 incidents of vote buying as of May 14, 2019, wherein 32 persons were accosted yielding an amount of ₱426,000.00 most of which were from the provinces of Quezon, Laguna, Cavite, and Batangas.
On the implementation of the liquor ban, CALABARZON police conducted 307 operations, which resulted in the arrest of 34 persons and confiscation of 14 illegal items (liquor).
Meanwhile, on the violation of R.A, 10591 in relation to COMELEC resolution no. 10429 otherwise known as COMELEC Gun Ban, the PRO4A arrested 10 persons and seized/confiscated 11 firearms on the actual day of elections.
This includes the arrest of six suspected security aid of a mayoralty candidate, and their leader goes at large yesterday at Pagkakaisa Elementary School, Brgy. San Antonio, Biñan City, Laguna by the elements of Biñan City Police Station and recovered from them were six assorted Firearms and Ammunitions.
For the overall total, CALABARZON recorded 428 seized and confiscated firearms and arrested 624 persons from the period January 13, 2019, to date.
The PNP also participated in the ‘Oplan Baklas’ of COMELEC were unlawful materials and posters were removed which yielded 34, 725 pieces of posters posted on prohibited areas.
“Our men on the field and those who are under operational and administrative part of Police Regional Office CALABARZON had indeed worked beyond what is expected from them. With the peaceful outcome of this year’s election in all parts of the region, they are truly commendable,” Carranza said.
“While it turn-out generally peaceful, we are very saddened by the loss of one of our men Police Staff Sergeant Ramil Briones Dagle, a member of Batangas City Police Station who suffered from a heart attack while rendering election duties at Soro-Soro Karsada Elementary School, Barangay Soro-Soro Karsada, Batangas City,” said Carranza in deep condolences.
The PRO4A is still placed under full alert status in connection with this 2019 Local and National Midterm Elections.