PNP assures 2007 polls more peaceful
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has assured the public that the 2007 polls will be more peaceful compared to the previous ones because of the agency's intensified campaign against election-related violence nationwide.
In a weekly media forum at Greenhills, San Juan, PNP spokesman Samuel Pagdilao said election violence has toned down this year, with only 107 reported incidents or 142 less than in 2004 with 249.
"This number is due to the massive campaigns launched by the PNP," he said.
Pagdilao also noted that the private armed groups have also been lessened in the past three years with the creation of Task Force against Armed Groups to quell violence in various election hotspots.
"It has been reduced to 37 from the previous number of 90," he added.
The PNP has been conducting checkpoints and preventive controls to ensure peace and order in the upcoming polls but clarified that all actions undertaken have approval from the Commission on Elections.
"We need the approval of the COMELEC before we can start any preventive control," he said.
"We will be safeguarding the sanctity of ballot boxes and ensuring peace for the upcoming local elections," he added.
Pagdilao also called on the electorate to be vigilant and report any untoward incidents of election-related violence to ensure peace in polls 12 days from now.
"We urge the people to report these incidents while it is brewing up so that the police can take action quickly," he said.
(PNA)