PNP CHIEF Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil yesterday vowed to apply the full force of the law against anyone who will resort to violence, intimidation or disorderly acts to undermine the conduct of the May 12 national and local elections.
“As we approach the mid-term elections, the PNP remains steadfast in its duty to uphold peace and security,” said Marbil, who earlier declared he wants this year’s elections to be the country’s “most peaceful electoral process.”
“No political ambition should compromise public safety,” he stressed.
Marbil made the remarks as the campaign period for senators and party-list representatives is due to start tomorrow. The campaign period for local candidates will start on March 28.
“Any actions that incite violence, intimidate voters, or undermine the electoral process will be met with the full force of the law,” the PNP chief said as he reiterated that safeguarding the integrity of the upcoming elections is their top priority.
Marbil assured the public that the police force will remain impartial and proactive in preventing any form of violence during the entire election period.
“The PNP will remain vigilant in ensuring that the elections are conducted peacefully, and those who attempt to disrupt this process through violence or intimidation will be held accountable,” he added.
The PNP Public Information Office (PIO) said among the measures being implemented by the police force to ensure peaceful elections is the campaign against loose firearms and wanted criminals.
The PIO also cited “proactive intelligence monitoring to prevent election-related violence, strategic police deployments in identified election areas of concern, and round-the-clock checkpoints and patrols in high-risk areas.”
The PNP is also implementing the Comelec gun ban during the election period, which started on January 12 and will run until June 11.
The PNP said 692 firearms have been seized throughout the country as of February 6, while 691 individuals have been arrested for violation of the gun ban.
