Force multipliers composed of police and military personnel have been deployed to key areas in the second legislative district of Antipolo City in Rizal on Thursday, Feb. 12, to ensure the peaceful, orderly and credible holding of the special election on March 14.

During the send off ceremony held at the Rizal Police Provincial Office (PPO) grounds, Rizal Comelec’s provincial election supervisor, Atty, Arnulfo Pioquinto reminded the uniformed personnel of their mission: to ensure that every qualified voter in the second district of Antipolo City can vote freely, safely and without fear and that the election personnel and materials are protected so that the people’s sovereign will is accurately reflected.

Atty. Pioquinto, who heads the Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC) of the Comelec for the March 14 polls, said the guiding principle of the men in uniform who form the security forces are to secure the environment, enforce lawful orders, and deter violence and intimidation and never to influence the choice of voters.

He emphasized that the Commission on Election (Comelec) values the support of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines and that the presence of the police and military officers “must always be consistent with the limits and with strict political neutrality.”

Atty. Pioquinto added that “PJSCC will operate with unity of purpose and clarity of command coordination as the group will prioritize- protection of voters and communities, especially in areas assessed as sensitive; strict enforcement of the firearms ban and checkpoint discipline consistent with lawful authority and respectful conduct; rapid coordination and incident response; non-partisanship and professionalism; and respect for lawful processes and human rights so that public confidence is strengthened, not diminished.”

Rizal PPO Director Col. Eleazar Ruga Barber, Jr. echoed the Comelec’s vision of having a peaceful, orderly and credible election for Antipolo’s second legislative district to his personnel.

The PPO said more than 400 cops will be deployed to the vicinity of the 36 polling centers located in the second district of the lone city namely- Barangays Calawis, Cupang, Dalig, Inarawan, San Jose, San Juan, San Luis, and San Roque.

Around 252,793 voters are registered in the district.

No less than Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia visited the canvassing center at the Ynares Event Center in Antipolo City inside the capitol compound on Feb. 11 for a walk-through occular inspection.

As the 30-day campaign period started on Thursday, Feb. 12, Garcia, who has been in constant coordination with the Rizal and Antipolo Comelec’s office prior to the setting of the schedule of the special election more than a month ago, said on his visit in Antipolo on Feb. 11, that the candidates should be aware of the rules and regulations governing the conduct of the special election.

He also appealed to the congressional aspirants and their supporters to refrain from doing mud-slinging, noisy campaign activities and creating traffic obstructions during the election period.

At least seven candidates have filed their respective certificate of candidacy before the Antipolo’s Comelec office namely- Dandin Yanos Infante, Reden Noble Llaga, Lorenzo Juan Yu Sumulong, III; Maria Trinidad Galang Confirma, Nathaniel Adao Lobigas, Irvin Paulo Carillo Tapales, and Philip Conrad Marrero Acop.

The election body said gun ban starts on Feb. 14 and will end on April 14 while the liquor ban will be from 12:01 a.m. on March 14 to midnight on March 14. 

Voting is from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. on March 14. except for persons with disability, senior citizens and pregnant women who will be allowed to vote at the designated polling area from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.

Those who are physically abled, even if they are seniors, pregnant or PWD, can opt to vote until 3 p.m. at the regular polling precinct according to Comelec.

The special polls on March 14 was set to fill the vacancy left by Rep. Romeo Acop who died of a heart attack on Dec. 20, 2025.