THE PNP yesterday said it will remain on full alert throughout the country to ensure that the final stage of the national and local elections will be safe and peaceful.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP Public Affairs Office chief Col. Randulf Tuano maintained that the elections were generally peaceful despite some isolated election-related incidents.
The PNP went on a full alert status on May 3 and deployed some 160,000 policemen across the country to ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of the elections.
“The PNP remains on full alert status … as we move into the canvassing and proclamation phase to ensure that the final stages of the election process remain safe and orderly,” said Tuano.
“The election is not yet 100 percent over, they (policemen) will continue to be there (on the ground) to ensure peace and order,” added Tuano.
Tuano said the standing directive of PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil to all policemen is not to involve themselves in any partisan political activity. He added the PNP has not monitored any policeman who violated Marbil’s order.
Marbil, in a statement, commended PNP personnel for their loyalty to the Constitution and the Filipino people:
“I am proud of our PNP personnel nationwide. Throughout the entire election period, they remained faithful to their sworn duties and to my directive to stay apolitical,” said Marbil.
Marbil said policemen did not take part in any partisan political activity and “they fulfilled their mission with honor, professionalism, and fairness.”
As of last Monday, Tuano said, the PNP recorded 46 validated election-related incidents (ERIs) since January 12 when the election period began.
He said the number is lower than the 105 incidents recorded during the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections but higher than the 27 incidents recorded during the 2022 national and local elections.
Tuano said 27 of the 46 ERIs reported in this year’s election occurred during the election day last Monday.
He said the 27 incidents included five shooting incidents, three explosions and two encounters. Fourteen of these incidents occurred in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, leading to the death of five people.
Tuano stressed that last Monday’s electoral process was “generally peaceful, secure and orderly.”
He said the ERIs recorded last Monday were “isolated,” adding no delay or postponement of elections was recorded throughout the country.
“This marks a complete success in preserving public order and upholding the democratic process. Through close coordination with the Commission on Elections and the support of other government agencies, the PNP has effectively carried out its mandate to protect the sanctity of the ballot and ensure the safe conduct of the elections,” said Tuano.
Tuano also reported 43 cases of vote-buying, leading to the arrest of 96 individuals.
As to the implementation of the two-day liquor ban on Sunday and Monday, Tuano said 232 violators were arrested.
On the implementation of the three-day money ban starting last Saturday, Tuano said two cases were reported, leading to the arrest of 12 people.
He said some P413 million in cash were also seized in the implementation of the money ban.
On the implementation of gun ban since January 12, Tuano said some 3,100 violators were arrested and 3,190 firearms were seized.
The Armed Forces said it will remain vigilant even amid the generally peaceful elections last Monday.
In a statement, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said that while several election-related incidents were recorded, “most areas remain generally peaceful.”
“Despite isolated violent incidents, the AFP assesses the overall security environment to be manageable and stable, with swift and coordinated responses helping to contain threats and deter further disruptions,” she said.
Padilla said the military has deployed 9,475 personnel to support the manning of election checkpoints.
“Additionally, 31,329 personnel have been tasked to secure 44,754 polling places nationwide. To further bolster response capabilities, 18,275 personnel remain on standby, supported by 714 land assets, 19 air assets, and 42 naval assets positioned for rapid deployment as needed,” she said.
