BAGUIO CITY – The Abra Police Provincial Office (PPO) has deployed more personnel to areas classified as “problematic” weeks ahead of the May 12 election.

“Ito binabantayan natin, ang mga augmentation personnel at mga sasakyan natin dito sa Abra from other PPOs na nasa mga munisipyo ng problematic (We are keeping an eye on them with the augmentation personnel and vehicles lent by other PPOs deployed to problematic areas),” Police Lt. Col. Daniel Pel-ey, Abra PPO information officer, said in a media interview Thursday.

He said that based on the list of the Provincial Joint Security Control Center, three municipalities in the province are under the Orange security category – Bangued, Pilar, and Bucay – while six are under the Yellow category – Tayum, Lagangilang, Pidigan, Dolores, Tineg, and Lagayan.

Placed under the Orange category are areas with serious armed threats, while those under the Yellow category have a history of election-related incidents.

He said the police also employ peripheral presence during activities in the province to prevent election-related violence.

“Ang sistema dinadaan-daanan ng mga tropa, binubuntutan nila kung kinakailangan para kung ma-avoid or kung may mangyari man nandoon na ang tropa natin (Police personnel monitor events and stay nearby, if needed, to avoid untoward incidents or so they would be on hand if something happens),” Pel-ey said.

He assured that the Abra police remain dedicated to maintaining peace in their jurisdiction.

Pel-ey noted that there are sufficient police personnel but the situation could be different on Election Day.

“Sapat naman but the problem is on the day of election, lalo na kung magagamit ang ating kapulisan na election board. Sana walang mag-back out para magamit natin ang tropa sa security function (We have ample personnel right now but the problem is on Election Day, our police personnel could be used as election board members. We hope teachers would not back out so that we can use the police for security),” he added.

Pel-ey said they have received information on the possibility of some teachers not serving in the election, prompting the training of about 100 police personnel to serve in the election board.

He said they have already sought personnel augmentation from the Police Regional Office-Cordillera, which they are positive would be granted.

Pel-ey urged supporters of all political aspirants to keep their cool to avoid misunderstandings.

“Sa supporters, hinahon lang po, give the best smile sa nakakasalubong, para maiwasan ang hindi kanais-nais na pangyayari (To all supporters, keep your cool and give the best smile to whoever you meet to avoid any untoward incidents),” Pel-ey said.