PNP to form task force for election-related violence

PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde holds a regular Monday press briefing at Camp Crame on October 8, 2018. INQUIRER.NET / NOY MORCOSO

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will form a special operations task group to respond to election-related issues as the country prepares for the midterm elections next year, Director General Oscar Albayalde said Monday.

Albayalde revealed the plan as political aspirants are set to file their certificates of candidacy on Thursday, October 11.

“As early as now, we will have a special operations task group to address election issues, particularly harassment and violent incidents, especially killings,” he said.

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He said he would order police regional directors to closely monitor their areas for election-related concerns.

Albayalde said the PNP already identified over 7,900 barangays and 896 municipalities as election hotspots.

The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao has the most number of election hotspots, followed by Eastern and Central Visayas, he said. /cbb