Campaign period kickoff ‘generally peaceful’ — PNP

 MANILA, Philippines — The first day of the campaign period for candidates vying for national positions ended without a major untoward incident, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Wednesday.

“So far, base po sa na-receive natin na mga report, ay generally peaceful naman po ‘yung first day ng campaign period ng national candidates,” PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said in an interview on ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo.

(So far, based on the reports we have received, the first day of the campaign period for national candidates was generally peaceful.)

Fajardo said no election-related  violence has so far been reported, except for at least “three  incidents in Mindanao,” since the  campaign period officially began on Tuesday,  Feb 8.

“Pero na-validate naman po iyon ng ating imbestigador na hindi naman po siya election-related incident,” she said, referring to the incidents in Mindanao.

(Our investigators have validated that it is not election related incident.)

Fajardo added that supporters of certain candidates failed to observe physical distancing and other health protocols.

“Isa po itong mabigat na challenge sa hanay ng kapulisan at iba pang security details,” Fajardo said.

(This is a big challenge to the police and other security forces.)

The campaign period for national candidates officially began on Tuesday, February 8 while the campaign period for local posts will start on March 25.

 gsg