
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil casts his vote during the opening of the Local Absentee Voting (LAV) for policemen on Monday, APril 28, 2025 at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
Around 33,000 policemen are expected to vote early for the midterm elections as the Philippine National Police (PNP) started facilitating on Monday, April 28, the Local Absentee Voting (LAV) across the country.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil led the ceremony by casting his vote on Monday morning at Camp Crame in Quezon City, with at least 1,470 Crame-based cops expected to do the same until April 30.
Marbil said similar activities will be held in various designated absentee voting designated areas across the country to accommodate around 33,000 policemen, as he emphasized the need for some cops to exercise their vote early to focus on election security.
"We are not just enforcers of democracy — we are part of it. Voting is not only our right; it is our duty, and one way we show our love for our country,” said Marbil.
The Local Absentee Voting allows police officers, soldiers, media workers, and other frontline government workers who are assigned on election day to vote ahead of time.
The move is aimed at ensuring that those who would avail will not be deprived of the right to suffrage and focus instead on their obligations on the remaining days leading to the election day on May 12.
Policemen were tapped by the Commission on Elections to secure the elections nationwide through conduct of checkpoints, law enforcement operations against loose guns, private armed groups and vote-buying.
Some policemen were also trained to do election duties in case of worst-case scenarios of election workers not being able to report for duty due to threats and security situation.
As of latest monitoring and security assessment, a total of 34 areas across the country are under red category in terms of election threats.
Marbil assured the public of the PNP’s full readiness to secure the upcoming polls as he stressed that personnel, mobility assets, and logistical resources are already in place.
“The PNP reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding the people's will and upholding democracy as the nation moves closer to election day,” said Marbil.
However, he reminded everyone to remain vigilant and professional amid potential threats that could undermine the credibility and safety of the elections.