PNP vows orderly conduct of special elections in Lanao Sur

MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) assured on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, that security measures are in place for the conduct of a peaceful and orderly special election in 14 barangays in Lanao del Sur.

In a press conference in Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo said more or less 800 police personnel were deployed in Tubaran for the special elections there scheduled by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on May 24.

Fajardo said the local police are also continuously coordinating with contending parties, and this has been among the reasons of chaos in the province in the last May 9 polls, which has resulted in the declaration of failure of election.

“Sa ngayon, wala pa tayong narereceive na serious threat, particularly diyan sa probinsya ng Lanao at patuloy pa rin naman ‘yung ginagawang intelligence build-up and monitoring at gathering ng pinagsanib na puwersa ng AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) at PNP para masiguro ‘yung ating mga kababayan doon come May 24 ay makakalabas at maicacast ‘yung vote nila na walang pinangangambahan sa kanilang safety and security,” she said.

PNP director for operations Brigadier General Valeriano de Leon said police personnel will serve as Special Board of Election Inspectors during the conduct of the special elections.

He said they are continuously coordinating with the Comelec and the AFP, assuring they are prepared to foil any eventualities.