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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP downgrades security alert status after peaceful midterm polls

PNP downgrades security alert status after peaceful midterm polls

Published May 14, 2025 05:22 pm

At A Glance

  • From full alert status since May 10, the secuirty alert status was downgraded to heightened alert 
  • Over 163,000 policemen were tapped to secure the May 12 elections. 
  • The election period began on Jan. 12 and will end on June 11 

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has downgraded the alert status to heightened alert after what it described as peaceful and orderly conduct of the May 12 midterm elections on Monday.

The full alert status for all police forces was declared on May 10 and was supposed to be until May 15 but with the normalization of security following the fast canvassing of votes, the downgrading was declared on Wednesday.

But PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said policemen in areas which still experience election-related tension and towns which have not yet fully transmitted the election results.

“We already downgraded to heightened alert status. Those who have already completed the election duties can now go back and concentrate on regular duties that the PNP must focus on,” said PNP spokesperson Col. Randulf Tuaño. 

“But our Chief PNP said that those assigned in areas where the election is not yet fully completed will remain,” he added.

The 2025 midterm elections are less violent compared to the 2023 barangay elections based on the data of the PNP, with only 49 election-related incidents recorded compared to 105 in 2023.

The election period began on Jan. 12 and will end on June 11 and the PNP tapped over 163,000 cops for the security. 

The PNP 49 ERIs resulted in the death of 13 persons, while 11 others were injured.

Of the 49 validated ERIs, 25 of them were shooting incidents, eight were incidents of threats, three were alleged vote-buying incidents and two each for strafing incidents.

“This downward trend in poll-related incidents is a testament to our commitment to uphold the President’s vision of a democratic process that is free from fear, intimidation, and violence,” said Marbil.

“Our police officers have been relentless in their duty to protect the sanctity of the ballot and ensure public safety,” he added.

As for the gun ban, the PNP reported arresting 3,117 violators and confiscating 3,204 firearms.

The PNP also shared that it arrested a total of 232 individuals for violating the liquor ban on May 11 and 12. 

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