PNP on heightened alert, to deploy 187,000 cops as BSKE campaign period starts
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be deploying around 187,000 policemen to secure the days leading to the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, the deployment has started on Wednesday, Oct. 18, in time for the start of the campaign period.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said they already placed all police units across the country under heightened alert status as part of the security measures.
“Our total deployment will be 187,000 plus of our personnel because of the start of the 10-day campaign period tomorrow (Oct. 19). Expect that we will be on heightened alert nationwide until the day of the election,” said Fajardo.
“This will also continue for the Undas (All Saints and All Souls days) as part of the security coverage of the PNP,” she added.
Fajardo said that the Chief PNP, Gen. Benjamin Acorda, Jr., has already instructed all police commanders to intensify the conduct of checkpoints in time for the start of the campaign period.
But she said Acorda also directed all police commanders to exercise maxim tolerance in dealing with candidates engaged in illegal campaigning.
“”The instruction is to document these illegal campaigning and inform the Comelec (Commission on Elections) in order for it to send a notice to the candidates for violation of campaign election guidelines,” said Fajardo.