NPD turns to Facebook for poll-related concerns

MANILA, Philippines - The Northern Police District (NPD) activated Saturday an account on the social networking site Facebook to enhance communications for today’s elections, an official said yesterday.

NPD director Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr. said that individuals with election-related concerns could post a message on the NPD’s Facebook wall, or email them at [email protected].

Pagdilao said hotline numbers for the Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) Tawag Centers could be seen on its Facebook account, which would also serve as the local police feedback mechanism.

The NPD chief said that any pertinent information regarding the security operations in northern Metro Manila or how the police officers perform during the election period could be coursed through the NPD’s Facebook account.

Pagdilao assured residents in Camanava that the NPD is “fully capable” and prepared to perform its duty of providing “high level security” to ensure that the conduct of elections under his command’s jurisdiction be peaceful and orderly.

At least 1,200 police officers and some 200 soldiers were deployed starting May 3 to secure polling centers, where the precinct count optical scan machines are stored.

Pagdilao said NPD intelligence operatives were deployed to monitor partisan groups whose members may disrupt or delay the conduct of today’s elections in Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela.