TACLOBAN CITY – Eastern Visayas (Region 8) had zero election-related incidents (ERIs) during the election period from Jan. 9 to June 8, the Police Regional Office (PRO)-8 said Friday, June 10.
Police Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, PRO-8 director, said 41,537 Commission on Elections (Comelec) checkpoint operations were conducted throughout Region 8 as the election period culminated on June 8.
Banac said 34,479 were under Comelec supervision, 6,975 were joint Comelec, Philippine National Police (PNP), and Joint Task Force Storm, and 83 were Comelec spot checkpoints.
"The secured, accurate, free, fair elections this 2022 can be attributed to the intensive implementation of pre-emptive measures of all units of PNP region-wide. But, of course with the cooperation and support of all force multipliers and other government agencies, " Banac said.
He added that PRO-8 has intensified all of its police operations to deter any criminality during the election period.
One-hundred twenty-four gun ban police operations were conducted in which nine checkpoints were established, seven “Oplan: Bakal,” two “Oplan: Sita,” four search warrant implementations, six buy-busts, three police patrol, 87 police responses, and six searches incidental to lawful arrest were carried out region-wide.
In the implementation of the gun ban, 150 persons were arrested and seized from them were 67 assorted firearms, 82 bladed weapons, two Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), and 440 rounds of ammunition.
Aside from unit visitations, Banac ordered the establishment of the Media Action Center (MAC), which they believed helped in the speedy and accurate delivery of election-related reports and results. "MAC was such a great help in monitoring the safety and security of all media friends and other contributors."