PNP ready for BSKE, says no postponement of polls in any areas 

National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said that it is ready for the upcoming 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) and sees no need to postpone the polls in any areas nationwide.

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said that BSKE will push through in all regions on October 30, despite the police’s plan to recommend placing 246 barangays under the red category or areas of grave concern and monitoring four active and 38 private armed groups (PAGs).

“With regards to the preparations for the barangay elections to our assessment and after the presentation of all the regional directors and after their meeting with the different RJSCCs (Regional Joint Security Control Center), PJSCCs (Provincial Joint Security Control Center), and of course at a national level, it’s a go for all of us,” Acorda said in a press briefing.

“So far, we are not seeing any areas na mapopostpone (where polls will be postponed). All areas will be simultaneously doing or conducting the BSKE as scheduled,” he added.

Acorda likewise bared that they are eyeing to deploy additional troops in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which has 151 barangays that might be placed under the red category.

READ: PNP nabs over 1,000 gun ban violators since BSKE period started

“So yung ating deputy chief for operations naghahanda na rin and also in coordination with the other agencies, pinag-u-usapan namin yan and so far our assessment magiging challenging man yung ibang areas but definitely we will render the appropriate measures,”

(So our deputy chief for operations is also preparing and coordinating with the other agencies. We are already discussing matters regarding the polls, and although our assessment shows that some areas will be challenging to handle, we will render the appropriate measures.)

JPV