PNP chief: 149 cops to secure special polls in Isabela village

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed 149 police officers to secure the special elections in Barangay Dicamay Uno in Jones, Isabela, its chief Police General Oscar Albayalde said Monday.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) earlier scheduled the special elections in the village on May 20, after two vote-counting machines containing 1,000 votes were burned by armed men as they were being transferred from polling precincts to the municipal canvassing center on May 14.

READ: Armed men torch VCM, election paraphernalia in Isabela

Aside from the deployment to the village, Albayalde said the PNP remains alert to implement election security measures even after the conclusion of the elections on May 13.

“Until now, we are not lowering our guards yet and all election security measures will be similarly implemented in the succeeding days and weeks until the official culmination of the election period on June 12,” he said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.

READ: Comelec sets May 20 special elections in Isabela town

Two suspects in the torching of the VCMs are now in the custody of the police.

The suspects were identified as Rodel Pascual, who was arrested at Barangay Diarao; and Jayson Leano, who surrendered to local authorities in Barangay Sta. Isabel in the municipality of Jones. (Editor: Julie Espinosa)