Gov’t ready for barangay polls; Reveal ‘narco-list’ – solon

PHILIPPINE National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde has assured that the police force is now ready to safeguard the coming nationwide barangay polls on May 14.

Ready for the polls at the grassroots, ready for hotspots, he said.

*** Likewise, Albayalde appealed to the public to refrain from voting officials who are known for their illegal drug activities even as a solon urged that the barangay “narcolist” be revealed to the public.

Let the public know them, let the voters avoid them, they said. ***

The PNP said it has prepared for the polls since barangay or grassroots governance is very important for the good of the country.

“I am hoping that the public will really be choosy in picking those who will be elected officials,” Albayalde said.

*** He said the PNP is concerned since there are many hotspots and many barangay officials are also in the drug watch list.

It’s double trouble, the PNP said.

***

Albayalde noted that the PDEA has reported that 24,424 barangays are drug-affected.

“Where is that list? Reveal that,” Rep. Frederick Siao asked the PDEA.

*** For the 42,000 barangays nationwide, Albayalde said the PNP will be deploying 90 percent of its 195,000-strong police force, or around 175,000 cops.

The synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on May 14 is very iomportant to good governance, he said following Pres. Duterte’s expressed concern.

*** “We will ensure peaceful and safe elections. About 90 percent of our strength will be deployed in the polling centers, the rest will be on standby mode,” Albayalde said.

The PNP is already ironing out its security plan with the help of the military and the Commission on Elections (Comelec), he added

*** Albayalde said the PNP identified 7,544 election hotspots around the country.

“These areas were categorized as election hotspots because of some violence or mauling incidents,” he said.

***

He said the PNP will also rely heavily on barangay force multipliers who can act as civillian intelligence agents during the elections.

But only cops and military personnel are allowed to bring firearms while on duty due to the election gun ban, he clarified.

*** Rep. Frederick Sia (Iligan) urged the The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to reveal the list of nearly 300 barangay officials who allegedly have links to the illegal drug trade.

Let the public and voters know the truth, he said.

***

“Where is the list of 289 alleged barangay officials allegedly involved in illegal drugs? Now is the time to fully disclose that list,” Siao said.

Yes to transparency, yes to peaceful and clean barangay polls.