PNP gears up as tension at Laguna capitol rises

By: Julliane Love De Jesus - 10 years ago

MANILA, Philippines—After the Philippine National Police (PNP) was ordered to prepare for a standoff at the Laguna Provincial Capitol, the PNP said on Wednesday that it has deployed contingencies in anticipation of violence that may erupt due to heightening tension there.

Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP Public Information Office (PIO) chief, told reporters that about 100 officers from the Calabarzon regional police were deployed to secure the capitol building and its immediate periphery.

The security forces will be composed of Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) personnel.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is set to serve on Wednesday afternoon at the capitol in Sta. Cruz, Laguna the writ of execution from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) officially ordering Ejercito to step down.

PNP Public Information Office (PIO) chief Reuben Theodore Sindac INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Last Tuesday, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II alerted the police amid reports that Emilio Ramon “ER” Ejercito’s supporters had put up barricades inside the capitol.

“We do not want the situation to deteriorate,” Roxas said. “Should Ejercito choose to defy the Comelec order, Governor Ramil Hernandez can perform his duties and functions even outside the Capitol building.”

On Tuesday, Ramil Hernandez took oath as the new governor of Laguna to succeed Ejercito, who was found to have overspent for his campaign last year by Comelec.

After Hernandez assumed the post, Ejercito told his supporters in Laguna that he will be their governor “now and forever.”

Sindac said the Calabarzon regional director, Chief Superintendent Jesus Gatchalian, is currently taking direct supervision of the operations at the Capitol.

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“Hopefully it would be done as peaceful as possible and we’re hoping for a smooth transition of leadership in the province,” Sindac added.