Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. on Friday announced that the entire PNP will be on “full alert” starting today, Saturday, for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Monday.
Around 187,600 policemen will be deployed for the BSKE, which falls on October 30 this year, he added.
But PNP regional commanders can start deployment much earlier depending on prevailing peace and order situation in their region, Acorda said.
“Our message to the public is clear: Election Day will remain under our control, and we will not tolerate any disruptions or threats to the peaceful exercise of your right to vote. We urge the public to cooperate and report any irregularities or security concerns,” the PNP chief said.
Acorda also urged the public to adhere to the law and avoid vote-buying and vote-selling and to immediately report such activities to authorities.
Since the start of the election period last August 28, Acorda said the PNP has conducted intensified checkpoint operations supervised by local Comelec officers where a total of 1,430 firearms were seized from 1,880 arrested gun ban violators as of Friday.
The PNP has also accepted 1,666 surrendered firearms and another 2,325 firearms deposited for safekeeping.
The election period for the BSKE started on August 28 and will end on November 29.