PNP: Over 20,000 cops, soldiers to be deployed for BOL plebiscite

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 20,348 personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is poised to be deployed to ensure a peaceful plebiscite for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

The PNP on Thursday said 9,907 of the personnel for deployment are police officers. Of this number, 5,448 or 55 percent will be assigned to secure the polling centers.

PNP: A total of 20,348 personnel from the police and the military are proposed to be deployed for the plebiscite for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law. 📸: PNP Spox C/Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/h4QSYxC6tH

— Cathrine Gonzales (@cgonzalesINQ) January 17, 2019

The rest of the police officers to be deployed will be assigned to quick reaction teams, reactionary standby support force and to the headquarters skeletal force, the PNP said.

In addition, the PNP said a battalion from the PNP Special Action Force and another battalion of police officers from Region 4-A (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) and Central Luzon will serve as reserve forces.

Meanwhile, another 10,441 personnel will be deployed from the AFP, the PNP said.

PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. said the deployment of security personnel still has to get the approval of the National Elections Monitoring Action Center which is composed of the PNP, AFP, and the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The plebiscite for the ratification of the BOL, is scheduled on Jan. 21 and Feb. 6. The BOL creates the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) which will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM),

READ: Comelec: Plebiscite for BOL set on Jan 21, Feb 6

Earlier, PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said the national police is prepared for security operations for the plebiscite.  /muf