HIT A bullet pierces through the windshield of a police patrol car in Pilar, Abra, after policemen engaged the security aides of Vice Mayor Jaja Josefina Somera Disono in a shootout on Tuesday. — File photo courtesy of PNP CORDILLERA dated March 29, 2022
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has begun its preparation for the 2025 elections, according to its chief, General Rommel Marbil.
He said this is why the police are running after drug syndicates and private armed groups (PAGs) and confiscating illegal firearms.
On Wednesday, Marbil said there must be no disruption to the democratic process of the polls, and public safety should be guaranteed.
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“By cracking down on illegal firearms, drug syndicates and armed groups, we aim to protect our citizens and uphold the rule of law,” the PNP top official said.
“I urge the public to support our efforts and report any illegal activities to help us achieve our goal of a safe and fair election,” he added.
Marbil noted the PNP would enforce measures such as setting up more checkpoints, holding more police operations, and conducting programs to raise public awareness and encourage people to report suspicious activities.
“Following a directive to assign 85 percent of the force to field duties, the PNP will deploy additional resources and personnel to identified election areas of concern,” Marbil’s statement reads.
“This includes implementing checkpoints and patrols in critical areas, heightening intelligence operations against PAGs and the illegal drug trade, and enforcing stricter measures by the PNP-Civil Security Group and the Firearms and Explosives Office to account for legitimate and loose firearms in high-risk areas,” it added.
Marbil likewise called on the citizens to help them.
“We urge the public to cooperate with the authorities by providing information that can help us locate and apprehend those involved in these illegal activities,” he said.