The Philippine National Police (PNP) is poised to implement heightened security measures to ensure a peaceful and orderly Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on October 30.
PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. announced the full alert status during a press briefing at Camp Crame, Quezon City, emphasizing that this move will involve the deployment of 187,600 police personnel to perform election-related duties.
Acorda noted that regional commanders have the authority to deploy personnel under their operational control and supervision as early as Saturday, depending on the prevailing peace and security situation in their respective areas.
He conveyed a clear message to the public, assuring them that election day will remain under the PNP's control, and any attempts at disruption or threats to the peaceful exercise of the right to vote will not be tolerated. Acorda encouraged the public to cooperate and report any irregularities or security concerns they may encounter.
The PNP is actively collaborating with other law enforcement agencies to ensure a coordinated response to any incidents that may arise during the polls.
The number of validated election-related incidents (ERIs) has reached 26 as of Friday, out of a total of 135 recorded nationwide based on the latest PNP data. Among these, 24 incidents are currently undergoing validation, while 85 have been classified as unrelated to the polls.
Acorda stressed that these incidents will serve as the basis for deploying personnel or making any necessary realignments of forces. He highlighted the PNP's commitment to effective monitoring, which includes a data sharing agreement with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the establishment of command centers at the national, regional, provincial, and municipal levels.
Additionally, hotlines are in place to facilitate communication and response during the election period.
