157 cops deployed to secure vote-counting machines in Isabela

Police officers march at the Philippine National Police grounds in Camp Crame in Quezon City. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela––At least 157 policemen were deployed to secure the delivery of vote-counting machines (VCMs) to polling places in the province, authorities said Thursday, May 5.

Maj. Amy Dela Cruz, Isabela police spokesperson, said several VCMs had been delivered to Santo Tomas, Santa Maria, Delfin Albano, Dinapigue, Echague, Cordon, Alicia, Angadanan, and San Guillermo towns.

Police stations were tasked with securing the deployment of 1,757 VCMs to poll precincts in the province.

At least two VCMs malfunctioned during the final testing of the VCMs, local election officers said.

Lawyer Michael Camangeg, acting Isabela election supervisor, said a VCM broke down in Santa Maria due to a defective scanner, while a VCM in Echague emitted smoke due to overheating.

Camangeg said the two machines were pulled out and immediately replaced.

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