Poll-related violence on the rise - PNP

Police Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor, spokesperson of the PNP chief, said compared to the 25 election-related violence cases during barangay elections on Oct. 25, 2010, the number has slightly risen.

 

Mayor cited that from Sept. 28 to Oct. 24 this year, four days before the barangay polls, the PNP has already recorded a total of 30 poll-related violence.

 

"Compared to the last 2010 barangay elections, mataas ng konti," Mayor said during the joint press conference of the PNP,Commission on Elections and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

 

Mayor said the PNP is ready to secure the 36,768 voting centers nationwide.

 

In the event that teachers will be unable to fulfill  their poll duty, particularly those in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Mayor said around 1,724 policemen are prepared to take their place as Special Board of Election Tellers.

 

Mayor said these policemen have been  trained by the Comelec to man the polls in ARMM.

 

Meanwhile, PNP public information office chief, Police Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac said they will deploy 50 percent of the desk-bound police personnel to do field work during the barangay elections.

 

He added that those police officers who are undergoing schooling will be recalled to do election duties.

 

AFP spokesman, Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan, meanwhile  said the deployment of the troops during the barangay elections will vary depending on the need and situation on the ground.

 

"Some are still to be deployed and will be undertaken as need arises. We are supporting the PNP here most especially in law enforcement matters," Tutaan said.

 

The AFP has been deputized to help in the elections through the Comelec resolution 9732, Tutaan said.