More than 6,000 checkpoints have been set up across the country so far as the Philippine National Police (PNP) assured the public that it will exhaust all measure to make the May 12 midterm elections peaceful and orderly.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said their security preparations do not only cover areas with history of election violence and the voters but also extend to Commission on Elections (Comelec) officials, teachers assigned to polling precincts, and civil society groups collaborating with the government to ensure clean, peaceful, and honest midterm elections.
“The Philippine National Police is ready to utilize its resources to ensure that Filipinos can vote without fear, particularly in identified hotspot areas,” said Marbil.
Earlier, President Marcos instructed Marbil to ensure that the midterm elections is peaceful and honest. The President also extended the tour of duty of Marbil as PNP chief to make sure that the election preparations will be in place.
Marbil said special focus will be on the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which has historically experienced election-related violence.
At least 34 election hotspots nationwide, with 27 located in BARMM.
For his part, Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Regional Office director Brig. Gen. Romeo J. Macapaz said they have already intensified security to deny any groups the opportunity to initiate violence.
“We have intensified measures including strategic deployments, heightened police visibility, additional checkpoints, and enhanced intelligence monitoring. We are also collaborating closely with the new BARMM government and other agencies to facilitate peaceful elections in the region,” said Macapaz.
Macapaz said these efforts underscore the “PNP's unwavering commitment to ensuring that the electoral process is free from violence, intimidation, and any form of electoral fraud, thereby upholding the democratic rights of every Filipino.”