Comelec, PNP and AFP map out final election preparations
Regional Heads and their respective provincial and city counterparts of Comelec, PNP and AFP yesterday convened at Camp Delgado for the final phase of preparation for the May 14 elections.
Police Regional Office 6 presented during the conference the security preparation of the PNP for polling centers and requested Atty Renato Magbutay, Regional Election Director of Comelec – Region 6, to approve the augmentation of Philippine Army, particularly in far flung barangays where there is an apparent lack of PNP personnel.
Relatively, Atty. Tomas Valera, Assistant Regional Election Director and the designated Spokesperson of Comelec Region 6, clarified that the presence of elements of the Philippine Army in remote areas does not indicate the deteriorating peace and order situation in the area but because “we have lack of police to cover these areas.”
With the minimum of two cops to be detailed in every polling center, the PRO 6 reported the lack of 2,500 police personnel to the provinces. Initially, the Directors of Bacolod City and Iloilo City Police Offices have given their commitment to provide augmentation personnel to Negros Occidental and Iloilo Police Provincial Offices, respectively.
Bacolod City PO will complement Negros Occidental PPO with 80 personnel while Iloilo City PO will augment Iloilo PPO with 200 of its personnel. PRO 6 Headquarters and the PNP support units will also pull out some of their personnel to augment the security personnel in other provinces this May 14.
Meanwhile, Atty Magbutay clarified that, though members of the Philippine Army are prohibited to escort the transfer of ballot boxes from polling centers to canvassing areas, they can, however, provide road security during the transport of ballot boxes. (PIO-PRO6)