Quezon City: The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced on Friday that 3,774 police officers are prepared to serve as board of election inspectors (BEIs) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) for the upcoming May 12 midterm elections. This preparation is part of the broader effort to ensure a smooth electoral process in the region.
According to Philippines News Agency, during a press conference held at the Department of the Interior and Local Government building in Quezon City, PNP Director for Police Community Relations, Maj. Gen Roderick Augustus Alba, stated that these officers are among the 7,943 PNP personnel trained as BEIs by the Commission on Elections (Comelec). In addition to the officers serving as BEIs, over 120,000 PNP personnel are tasked with securing 37,528 voting centers nationwide.
Maj. Gen Alba also highlighted a significant decrease in the number of election watchlist areas, with the current figure standing at 362, which is notably lower compared to 941 in 2019 and 844 in 2022. He emphasized that this reduction is a critical factor in determining the deployment strategy of the police force.
PNP Public Information Office chief Col. Randulf Tua±o noted that the current figure of areas of concern is also lower than the 401 recorded in the fourth quarter of 2024. Of the 362 areas of concern, 34 have been categorized as 'red', indicating serious armed threats and a history of election-related incidents, as classified by Comelec.
In terms of poll-related violence, Tua±o stated that the PNP has confirmed 30 election-related incidents (ERIs), with 22 being violent. Additionally, eight other incidents are under verification as potential ERIs. As part of the ongoing efforts to maintain peace, the PNP has arrested 2,686 individuals for violating the election gun ban initiated on January 12 and has conducted 740,964 checkpoints in Comelec-designated areas, resulting in the confiscation of 2,708 firearms.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil reaffirmed the police force's unwavering commitment to ensuring a peaceful and credible election process. He urged the public to remain vigilant, cooperate with law enforcement, and report any suspicious activities that could jeopardize the integrity of the May 12 elections. Gen. Marbil also reiterated the PNP's stance on remaining apolitical, ensuring that no police personnel engage in partisan activities during the election period.
