PRO 11 assures poll volunteers' safety

ELECTORAL boards who will serve in the May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections don't have to worry about their safety and security.

Police Regional Office (PRO 11) spokesperson Police Chief Inspector Milgrace Driz, during yesterday’s AFP-PNP press corps forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, said they will deploy more security forces from Police Regional Office (PRO 11) to ensure the peaceful staging of the polls.

Driz said three days ahead of the local polls, they will start deploying their personnel in designated areas.

“We will deploy our personnel on the ground kung saan sila ma-assign and at the same time we will recall those personnel who are on schooling as part of their election duty and we will deploy them in polling precincts or voting centers,” Driz said.

She also underscored the order of PRO 11 regional director Police Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan where all PNP personnel must be neutral and apolitical.

The violators of law, especially private armed

groups (PAGs) shall be arrested.

“Ensure that the people will be able to exercise right of suffrage. On internal cleansing, COPs/station commanders/ chiefs of offices shall exercise disciplinary powers. Those who are remiss of their responsibilities will be dealt with accordingly,” the order said.

“Police Chief Superintendent Gaerlan, our regional director, has reiterated to all of us to be neutral with this election; all private armed groups may mga politiko na sinusundan ng armed groups so with that we are mandated to dismantle all private armed groups. In this regard, if evidence warrants, they will be arrested especially if they have guns and they are goons of political personalities,” she said.

There were a total of 251 election watch list areas (EWAS) that police and the troops have identified and are recommending to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Davao region which would require additional forces.

“Well naa sa category 2 kasagaran sa mga nahatag nato sa Comelec with our recommendation is from Compostela Valley, naa pod tay part sa Davao City, naa pod part sa Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur (We recommended to Comelec under category parts of Compostela Valley, Davao City, Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur)," she said.JCR(For full story visit www.sunstar.com. ph/davao/)