The start of the campaign period for local candidates on Friday, March 25, was generally peaceful, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said as it recorded no untoward incident across the country.
PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said the assessment was made based on the reports submitted by the local police commanders which were all consolidated at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
“The local campaign period started on a generally peaceful and orderly mode on Friday. We hope that this favorable condition will hold for the succeeding days of the campaign period until the last day of the local campaign in May 7, or two days before the 2022 National and Local Elections in May 9,” Carlos said.
But Carlos said they will continue to monitor all the activities especially in the provinces and other areas which are classified as election hot spots.
Part of the security measures, according to him, is securing all the candidates who have threats on their lives.
Carlos also reminded candidates vying for some 18,000 local elective posts that all campaign activities are prohibited on Holy Thursday and Good Friday, April 14 and 15, 2022.
The decision was based on the order of the Commission on Elections.
“We express optimism that all security measures put in place by the PNP will produce favorable results to uphold the sovereign will of the Filipino electorate and ensure safe, orderly, honest and peaceful elections on May 9th,” said Carlos.