Security forces: Ready

Police Director Ricardo Marquez. INQUIRER.net PHOTO/ Julliane Love De Jesus

The Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines on Sunday called for vigilance on Election Day even as they assured the public they would remain nonpartisan and apolitical.

PNP Director General Ricardo Marquez said the 160,000-strong force would do its best to secure the national elections today and counter any mischief.

“We call on the public to be vigilant to prevent unscrupulous individuals and lawless elements from taking advantage and using them for sinister motives,” Marquez said.

Joint  PNP, AFP and Commission on Elections checkpoints are being conducted all over the country until the end of the election period on June 8.

The PNP began implementing a two-day liquor ban on Sunday and Monday.

AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, said the military had not monitored any significant threat to the elections.

“We are confident  our and the PNP’s forces are adequately distributed and in place to ensure the successful conduct of the elections,” he said.