Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar. INQUIRER file photo / Niño Jesus Orbeta
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is intensifying its operations against private armed groups (PAGs) and loose firearms as 2022 national elections approach.
In a statement, PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said that this is to ensure credible, orderly and peaceful elections in 2022.
“I am directing all police offices and units nationwide to intensify operations against private armed groups and loose firearms. Hindi lamang Mindanao ang ating tututukan kundi lahat na ng lugar sa bansa (We will focus not only on Mindanao but all areas in the country),” Eleazar said.
“Papalapit na ang eleksyon at alam naman natin na may ilang pulitiko na gumagamit ng private armed groups para sa pansarili nilang mga interes, partikular ang maipanalo ang kanilang kandidatura gamit ang dahas. We will not allow that,” he added.
(Elections are approaching and we know that there are some politicians who use private armed groups for their personal interests by force. We will not allow that.)
Eleazar assured that the PNP is already polishing its security measures for the coming elections, as early as now.
“Local police offices should intensify their intelligence gathering measures to keep a close eye on all potential private armed groups as well as syndicates involved in gun running activities.”
“Dapat tiyakin ng PNP na walang magaganap na aberya o kaguluhan sa bawat bahagi ng halalan, mula sa filing ng candidacy hanggang sa deklarasyon ng mga nanalong kandidato,” he added.
(The PNP must ensure that there will be no irregularities or disturbances in every part of the election, from the filing of the candidacy to the declaration of the winning candidates.)
According to the National Task Force on the Disbandment of PAGs, over 130 armed groups are being monitored in Mindanao alone by authorities.
Meanwhile, a non-partisan coalition group on June 4 claimed that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will need additional funding to ensure that the 2022 national elections will be “safe, fair, and free” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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