AFP, PNP fine-tune strategies for b’gay, SK polls

The military and police are readying security measures for the barangay elections on Oct. 29.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. and Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Calderon met with their key staff in Camp Aguinaldo yesterday to fine-tune security preparations.

The two said they have issued directives to all ground and unit military and police commanders to initiate moves aimed at making the upcoming political exercise as peaceful as possible.

“The peaceful conduct of the recently concluded national and local elections underscores the importance of collaborative efforts of the police and military in accomplishing its Comelec-mandated mission,” Esperon said.

This would once again be replicated by the military and police before, during and after the conduct of the barangay elections, he added.

Calderon said police are looking at Nueva Ecija and Pampanga and some parts of the Visayas and Mindanao as possible flashpoints of election-related violence.

“Ground commanders have been ordered to start preparing and initiate similar collaborations with the AFP and other agencies to ensure the peaceful conduct of the forthcoming barangay elections,” Calderon said.         – Jaime Laude