PNP ordered: Prepare for political rivalries in local elections
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police ordered all its unit commanders Thursday to start mapping out election security plans in their areas of responsibility with political rivalries expected to heat up on the local level approaching the final stretch of the filing of certificates of candidacy period.
“Now that it is clear who will be fighting, especially for local elective positions, we are expecting heated political rivalries that could lead to violence, so I have instructed our unit commanders to start preparing to make sure there will be no chaos in their respective areas of responsibility,” said Police Gen. Guillermo Eleazar.
Citing police data, the PNP chief said in a statement sent to reporters that almost all the election-related violence in the past stemmed from intense political rivalries of candidates vying for local posts, which include clashes among the supporters.
Eleazar said that the PNP is currently reviewing and assessing the areas with a history of election-related violence.
Part of the campaign to ensure honest, peaceful, and orderly elections in May elections next year is the aggressive campaign against loose firearms and the accounting of private armed groups in various parts of the country.
“I also ordered our Intelligence Group to start the monitoring and background check on all the candidates who have the history, the potential, and the means to sow violence as part of our aggressive efforts to ensure the honest and peaceful elections next year,” said Eleazar.
On the seventh day of the COC period, Eleazar said he was "satisfied" with the election security measures in the past six days of the filing of COCs and Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance.
He reiterated his call to the political candidates to discourage their supporters from accompanying them or gathering outside the Comelec offices and other venues to avoid creating super spreader events.
“The filing of COCs and CONAs across the country remains quiet and orderly and your police continue to be ready to ensure no disturbance takes place in the remaining two days of this process,” said Eleazar.
The deadline for the filing of COCs and CONAs is on October 8.
- Latest
- Trending
