3K cops to secure elections in Iloilo province

Around 3,000 police personnel will be deployed in the whole province of Iloilo to ensure the “safe and peaceful” conduct of the May 9 polls.

Senior Master Sergeant Francisco Lindero, Jr., Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) spokesperson, said the deployment of cops to voting centers and election monitoring action centers will start on May 7.

Some of them will join the quick response team.

“In place na ang aton security plan and we are ready to deploy our personnel to monitor and secure the elections,” he told IMT NEWS.

“We have personnel who will be assigned in various areas in the province to [secure the general elections on May 9],” Lindero added.

Only the town of Calinog in Iloilo has been placed under the red category for this year’s elections.

Areas under the Category Red are those where “relevant government agencies declare the existence of conditions which may constitute grounds for the declaration of COMELEC control.”

So far, the IPPO has not monitored any election-related problem in the town, according to Lindero.

Meanwhile, the IPPO advised the public to be vigilant on May 9 and report any untoward incidents that may arise.

“Gina remind ta ang aton mga botante nga ang election isa ka kahigayunan para magpili sang aton mga masunod nga lider. Isa ini ka sagrado nga pribilihiyo gani mangin wais kita sa pagpili kag kung may nabal-an kamo nga kamala-malahan, gilayon nga magreport sa aton kapulisan,” he said.IMT