PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. yesterday said the police force has started its security preparations for the conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to be held on October 30.
“The Philippine National Police is making early preparations to assume election duties as a deputized agency of the Commission on Elections,” Acorda said in a statement, adding that members of the Comelec Committee on the Ban of Firearms and Security Concerns, which includes the PNP and the AFP, met last May 9 to hold initial discussions on the security of the polls.
Acorda said all “operational planning and preparatory” activities of the PNP will be guided by the calendar of activities for the BSKE as approved by the poll body.
“The PNP will strictly enforce all prohibited acts during the entire 90-day election period (August 28 to November 29) as enumerated under the Omnibus Election Code and resolutions passed by the Comelec,” said Acorda.
“These prohibited acts include the bearing, carrying, or transporting firearms or other deadly weapons in public places including any building, street, park, private vehicle, or public conveyance, unless authorized in writing by the Comelec,” added Acorda.
Also prohibited during the election period is the use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates.
