Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered all police commanders to account for all PNP personnel who have not yet registered and give them time, if they want, to register after the Commission on Elections extended the voter's registration until October 30.
"I am encouraging our personnel who have not yet registered to take advantage of this extension. I am ordering our units commanders to give your men the time to do so,” Eleazar said.
He also also appealed to the public to register as early as possible and not wait for the last-minute registration that only results in arguments between the people and officers of the Commission on Election as what happened last month in some areas of the country.
“Samantalahin natin ang ibinigay na extension ng Comelec at huwag na naman nating hintayin na kung kelan patapos na ang buwan ng Oktubre ay saka lamang tayo magpupumilit na magpa-rehistro dahil mauuwi na naman ito sa init ng ulo at pagtatalo. Baguhin na natin ang nakagawiang last-minute registration (Take advantage of the extension given by the Comelec and let us avoid that last-minute registration practice because this could only lead to unnecessary arguments,” said Eleazar.
He explained that the right to suffrage must also be exercised by the policemen as this is part of the obligation of the Filipino people as responsible citizens.
Following calls from lawmakers as well as the clamor from the public, the poll body decided to extend the voter’s registration process from October 11 to 30, 2021. Reactivation can be done through e-mail or personal appearance, according to Comelec.
Eleazar ensured that the police are focusing their security measures for the resumption of the voter’s registration across the country since the filing of Certificate of Candidacy and Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance is already finished.
“All chiefs of police and other unit commanders are expected to maintain the same level of alertness and for them to use the same security measures in Comelec offices and other registration sites,” Eleazar said.