CEBU CITY – Police in Central Visayas are on full alert as the week-long filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC) for the 2025 elections started on Tuesday, October 1.
Police Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO-7) chief Police Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, said the first day of COC filing was generally peaceful.
Pelare said the deployment of police personnel in various Commission on Election (Comelec) offices was closely monitored.
He added that full alert status will be enforced during the filing of COCs until October 7 which means that uniformed policemen will be visible in Comelec offices for eight straight days.
“We will adjust the alert status depending on the situation on the ground but as of today, we are on a heightened alert," Pelare told reporters on Tuesday.
Aberin ordered all police units to conduct regular checkpoints to secure candidates and their supporters.
Pelare said they expect supporters of candidates to crowd Comelec offices in the windup to the filing of COC.
As before, Pelare said they will check if personnel have relatives who are seeking elective posts after the conclusion of COC filing.
Police officers with relatives who are candidates will be reassigned to another place, said Pelare.
“PRO-7 personnel were reminded of the directive of the chief PNP to remain apolitical,” said Pelare.