About 80 persons deprived of liberty (PDL) underwent voting simulation exercise for the Oct. 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
The Pateros Municipal Police Station in collaboration with Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) conducted Voter’s Education and Voting Simulation Exercise for the PDLs on Oct. 27.



Persons deprived of liberty undergoing voting simulation and education at Pateros municipal jail (Photos from Pateros police / SPD)
The voting simulation was done at the BJMP facility in Pateros and witnessed by Pateros Election Officer Armando Mallorca, Pateros police chief Col. Wilson Alicuman, Warden Senior Insp. Chrisvill Villamor, and representatives from DepEd and the electoral board.
The first part of the event focused on voter’s education in which PDLs were informed about the significance of their right to vote and the unique opportunity extended to them.
The second part was the voting simulation exercise where PDLs were guided through the entire process from entering the designated voting area within the BJMP premises to casting their votes.
In a circular addressed to judges, Court Administrator Raul Villanueva said PDLs who are allowed to vote on Oct. 30 are “a. Those who are confined in jail, formally charged for any crime/s and awaiting/undergoing trial; b. Serving a sentence of imprisonment for less than one (1) year; c. Whose conviction of a crime involving disloyalty to the duly constituted government such as rebellion, sedition, violation of the firearms laws or any crime against national security or for any other crime is on appeal.”
“This initiative signifies a significant step toward an inclusive and participatory democracy, where every citizen, regardless of their circumstances, is given the opportunity to exercise their fundamental right to vote. The collaborative efforts of the BJMP, DepEd, and the local police force underline the commitment to upholding the principles of democracy and ensuring that no one is left behind,” said Brig. Gen. Mark Pespes, officer-in-charge of the Southern Police District.