TACLOBAN CITY – The Samar Police Provincial Office has deployed over 300 personnel to ensure safe and credible elections this May in the first district of Samar.
Police Col. Antonietto Eric Mendoza, Samar police chief, led a send-off ceremony for the Regional Special Operations Task Group-Leyte and Samar in Calbayog City on Thursday, Jan. 9.
Mendoza reminded them of their mandate.
“You are tasked to coordinate effectively, act with integrity, and ensure that the democratic process is safeguarded," he said.
He added that police presence is a reassurance to the community that their safety and the integrity of the elections are their top priorities.
The Commission on Elections tagged Santa Margarita town under the red category – an area with a serious threat of election-related violence.
Calbayog City, Matuguinao, and Gandara are under the yellow category – areas with reported suspected election-related incidents in the past two elections.