PNP records slight increase in election-related incidents

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police recorded more election-related violence in this year’s election period for barangay (village) elections compared to the same electoral process in 2010, a police official said.

During the 2010 village polls, Police Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor, PNP spokesman, said 25 crimes related to the elections were recorded in diferent parts of the country.

This year, PNP has recorded 30 incidents so far, from September 28 to present, which is exactly four days before the elections on Monday.

“So medyo mas mataas ngayon (It’s higher now) compared to 2010,” Mayor said.

Both figures, however, were still lower than than of 2007’s village polls which were recorded with 101 election-related incidents.

Moreover, even as there had been a slight increase in the number of incidents, the PNP earlier said they expect a peaceful conduct of the elections on Monday, considering that candidates are usually related to each other, or are friends.

Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP-PIO chief, said all police units were directed to sustain law enforecement activities and all other public safety operations before, during and after the elections in a bid to ensure safe and fair elections.

The security template that will be used for this election will be the same template used during the midterm elections in May.

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