Law enforcement agencies deputized for 2016 polls

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has deputized various law enforcement agencies to ensure honest, orderly, peaceful and credible elections next year.

In Resolution No. 10020, the Comelec assigned the Department of the Interior and Local Government, National Police Commission and Philippine National Police to provide security to polling places, voting centers, canvassing and consolidation centers and other places or buildings, as well as paraphernalia, equipment, forms and supplies that will be used in the May 9, 2016 elections.

They also have to provide security to the personnel of the Comelec, its deputies and other persons performing election-related functions.

“Deploy at least time possible, troops for election duty in coordination with the concerned (Comelec) regional election director, provincial election supervisor and election officer,” the resolution said.

These agencies also have to make available land, air and water assets, communication systems and other equipment that may be used during the elections.

The Comelec has ordered them to “look into the existence of any armed group organized to commit or which is committing or attempting to commit, acts of terrorism or threats to intimidate or coerce any person to vote for or against a candidate, and to suppress or prevent said acts of terrorism or threats.”

They were also tasked to provide security escorts to candidates, subject to the conditions and restrictions related to the gun ban.

Law enforcement agencies are also tasked to conduct periodic assessment of the peace and order conditions in critical areas and make recommendations.

Under the resolution, the National Bureau of Investigation has been ordered to direct its agents to arrest any person violating the Omnibus Election Code and other pertinent election rules and regulations promulgated by the Comelec.

In Resolution No. 10021, the Comelec had deputized the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to perform election-related functions but should refrain from participating in any partisan political activity.

“The Constitution provides that the members of the AFP shall be insulated from partisan politics and prohibit all members thereof from engaging, directly or indirectly, in any partisan political activity, except to vote,” the resolution stated.