PNP on full alert for barangay polls, ‘Undas’
The Philippine National Police will be on full alert starting Saturday to ensure a safe and peaceful conduct of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on Oct. 30, followed by the observance of All Saints’ Day on Nov. 1 and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame on Friday, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said a total of 187,600 personnel—or 82 percent of the 228,000 police force—would be deployed across the nation.
“Our message to the public is clear: Election day will remain under our control and we will not tolerate any disruptions or threats to the peaceful exercise of your right to vote. We urge the public to cooperate and report any irregularities or security concerns,” he said.
This developed as the number of validated election-related incidents (ERIs) climbed to 26 as of Friday, out of a total of 135 cases it has recorded nationwide.
As of Wednesday, 361 out of the 42,001 barangays in the country have been placed under the red (or areas of grave concern, which have serious and grave security threats and a history of ERIs) category.
The Department of Transportation, for its part, has instructed its agencies to calibrate their “Undas” preparations, ensuring safety, security and comfort of travelers.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista on Friday ordered agencies under the aviation, railway, maritime and road sectors to prepare and guarantee the safety and comfort of passengers as many Filipinos rush to the provinces.
There will also be sufficient electricity supply across the country during the elections next week after the Department of Energy (DOE) suspended preventive maintenance and testing of generating units until the first week of November.
According to the DOE, demand is expected to reach 12,257 megawatts (MW) on Monday. Current demand stands at 10,500 MW to 11,500 MW.
READ: PNP: Almost 3,000 barangays flagged as security concerns for 2023 BSKE
“Safeguarding the energy needs of the country during the critical electoral process is our foremost concern,” Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said in a statement.
Meanwhile, people with flu-like symptoms may go out and vote in the elections but are advised to wear masks in polling places and consult medical stations set up in voting precincts, a health official said on Friday. INQ
