Abra: An additional 214 policemen from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) will be deployed to Abra in the coming days to enhance security for the May 12 mid-term polls. This bolsters the over 100 police personnel already stationed in the province since early March.

According to Philippines News Agency, B/Gen. David Peredo, regional director of the Police Regional Office-CAR, announced that the additional officers will arrive from different provinces and are expected to be in place at least a week before the election. Mobile patrol units are also set to join the augmentation teams in Abra.

The additional manpower will focus on securing polling precincts, supported by a quick reaction team. Abra, with 281 polling precincts, typically has a regular force of 539 officers. Peredo emphasized that at least two police personnel will be stationed at each polling location.

To further ensure election security, PROCAR has initiated the installation of closed circuit television cameras in key areas such as Pidigan, Bangued, and Tayum. These measures are monitored by the Provincial Election Monitoring and Action Center (PEMC) at the provincial police headquarters.

Col. Carolina Lacuata, PROCAR regional information officer, explained that Task Force Abra, led by Northern Luzon Area Police Command chief M/Gen. Ronnie Cariaga, has been reactivated to enhance security measures during the election period.

Earlier, the Commission on Elections-Cordillera announced its close monitoring of Abra to prevent the province from being placed under Comelec control.