PNP Region 1 fully ready for May 12 polls
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Office 1 assured the public of its full preparedness for the coming May 12 elections, citing heightened security measures and coordinated efforts across the Ilocos Region.
In an interview on April 22, Police Brigadier General Lou Evangelista, PNP Region 1 director, said the police force already activated task groups and sub-task groups focused on deployment, civil disturbance response, intelligence, and investigation operations to ensure safe and orderly elections.
“We have already organized task groups for various areas of concern. All incidents, especially shootings, are being thoroughly validated through our special investigation task groups to determine whether they are election-related or not,” he said.
Evangelista explained that the Regional Election Monitoring Action Center (REMAC) operates 24/7 to collect and monitor real-time data on shooting incidents, confiscated firearms, checkpoint activities, and candidate movements throughout Region 1.
Several areas have been placed under close watch due to intense political rivalries. These include Dagupan City, Urdaneta City, Aguilar, Binmaley, Malasiqui, Mangaldan, San Quintin and Sual in Pangasinan; San Vicente in Ilocos Sur, and Agoo, Caba, and Pugo in La Union. Additional police presence and visibility have been ordered in these municipalities.
On the matter of private armed groups, Evangelista reported that while there are no active sightings or operations of such groups in the region, intelligence task groups remain on alert and continue to validate reports.
He also stressed the importance of police visibility and direct engagement with candidates and local leaders. Officers are assigned to attend campaign activities and coordinate with barangay captains to maintain peace and order.
In addition to the PNP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and various force multipliers are augmenting efforts to ensure security on election day and in the days leading up to it. (Eva Visperas)
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