The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be deploying at least 600 policemen for the special elections in 12 barangays in Lanao del Sur that will be held on Tuesday, May 24.
PNP Officer-In-Charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao said two companies of policemen are from the Special Action Force while another company is from the Regional Mobile Force of the Police Regional Office- Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR).
"These are from the PNP contingent. All other police forces will come from the local," said Danao in a press briefing at Camp Crame on Monday, May 24.
He said additional 400 soldiers will also be deployed.
The Commission on Elections declared a failure of elections in 12 barangays in Tubaran town in Lanao del Sur due to security issues. The poll body set the special election on May 24 which will benefit more than 8,000 voters.
The special elections is important as it will have an effect on the candidacy of local bets.
Police Maj. Gen. Valeriano de Leon, PNP director for operations and deputy commander of the National and Local Elections Task Force, said they will be using policemen as Board of Election Inspectors for the special polls.
He added that body-worn cameras will also be used by policemen who would be tasked to secure the special elections.
Danao said those who would serve as BEIs are new police graduates trained to be BEIs.
"There are 51 of them who are just new graduates from PRO BAR and they were trained by the Comelec to serve as the BEIs. So they will assist the voters to have a secured,
accurate and fair elections for Tubaran town," said Danao.
He said the deployment of policemen and soldiers in Tubaran is an anticipation of any threat on the conduct of special elections.