Manila: Two days before the elections, the Philippine National Police (PNP) declared it is on full alert, deploying more than 160,000 officers nationwide to ensure a peaceful and orderly election process and its aftermath.
According to Philippines News Agency, PNP Director for Police Community Relations Maj. Gen. Roderick Augustus Alba stated that the PNP is "all hands on deck" and ready to respond to any eventualities before, during, and after the May 12 elections. Aside from the 160,000 officers deployed on election day, a "sizable number" of reserve forces in every PNP headquarters are on call to augment the force if necessary.
In addition to maintaining peace and order at polling areas, the PNP-Anti Cybercrime Group will also be patrolling on election day to monitor for potential spying activities. The number of areas of concern has been reduced to around 370 from over 800 initially listed. As of May 8, the PNP has apprehended 2,863 gun ban violators, with 195 arrests occurring at checkpoints.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil recently visited Police Regional Offices in Leyte and Cebu to oversee the final stages of election security preparations. He emphasized the mission to deliver secure, accurate, free, and fair elections, aiming for zero election-related violence through unity, discipline, and commitment.
In terms of contingency forces, the Philippine Army is ready to support security efforts with its Civil Disturbance Management, K-9, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Medical, and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear teams. A total of 31 assets, including military trucks and ambulances, are on standby, with Army emergency response companies on blue alert from May 11 to May 14. Philippine Army units have deployed 23,591 personnel for election duties, with 21,509 personnel on standby alert. These units are operating in dual modes-election and combat-to ensure they fulfill electoral duties while maintaining internal security operations.
At the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, the PNP reported that 18 people are facing charges in five regions for alleged vote buying and selling. PNP-Public Information Office chief Col. Randulf Tua±o cited instances in the Ilocos Region, Calabarzon, Davao, Bicol, and Cordillera Administrative Region. Most cases involved distributing groceries or aid 10 days before the elections, with charges filed against a group caught with PHP1.5 million in cash. The PNP is actively investigating several reports of vote-buying across the country, vowing to file appropriate charges against violators as evidence becomes available.
The PNP has been intensifying its "Kontra Daya" (Anti-Cheating) campaign in full support of the Commission on Elections, aligning with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s call for clean, honest, and credible elections.
