NPD deploys more cops for polls

MANILA, Philippines – The Northern Police District (NPD) has deployed more police officers to secure the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in the Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) area.

Superintendent Rio Gatacilo, NPD public information office chief, said that as of yesterday, police officers and soldiers are being deployed to Camanava’s 255 barangays.

“The local police force would be augmented by 60 military personnel and some 60 more police officers from the National Capital Region to make sure a safe and smooth conduct of the synchronized barangay and SK polls in our area,” Gatacilo told The STAR. 

He said NPD director Senior Superintendent Edgardo Ladao ordered his four police chiefs to “secure all polling precincts” in their respective jurisdictions three hours before the start of the actual voting, or as early as 4 a.m.

At least 20 of the military’s 60 soldiers would be deployed in 188 barangays in Caloocan, mostly to the northern part of the city. Others would be sent to the 21 barangays in Malabon, to Navotas City’s 14 villages, and to Valenzuela City’s 32 barangays.

Gatacilo said although there is no election “hot spot” in Camanava, the NPD command wants its “security measures in place and its personnel to be 100 percent ready” for any eventuality.