Police on full alert for polls

PNP beefs up security measures

CAMP OLIVAS (Pampanga) - The entire Central Luzon police force was placed on full alert sta tus for this Monday’s barangay elections starting at 6:00 am yesterday.

At about 8:00 a. m., the Police Regional Office- 3 ( PRO3) conducted a head count of personnel for deployment to polling precincts.

Chief Superintendent Raul Petrasanta, PRO3 director, said he reminded all police units, stations and provincial and city police directors to secure all Philippine National Police ( PNP) camps and offices, vital installations, economic key points and places of convergence of people.

Petrasanta also instructed all his provincial directors to continue their campaign on loose firearms and the conduct of checkpoints in their respective areas of responsibility.

He said that PNP mobile patrols will conduct 24/ 7 patrolling in the area to monitor lawless elements who may harass candidates in the elections.

The Regional Public Safety Battalion and Provincial Public Safety Company personnel are ready to deploy in any eventuality, Petrasanta said.

He added that with just three days before the barangay elections, PRO 3 continues to secure the region to ensure safe and orderly elections.

Petrasanta said that to maximize deployment, police personnel assigned to do desk work and those undergoing schooling will be sent out to different polling precincts to increase the number of those tasked to ensure peaceful elections this coming October 28.

The accounting of PRO3 personnel for election deployment was held on October 24, 2013 at the PRO3 Parade Grounds where a total of 295 Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel will be deployed during elections.

Of these, eight teams composed of 68 PNP personnel will be initially deployed on October 26, Saturday, to augment the Bulacan police while the remaining personnel will be posted on election day.

Prior to the accounting of personnel, lawyer Elmo Duque, Bulacan Provincial Election Supervisor , briefed the PNP personnel on their election duties and responsibilities; relevant election laws, resolutions; and issuances to ensure uniform understanding and interpretation geared towards synchronized and coordinated courses of action come election day.

Petrasanta said that PRO3 will continue to carry out their tasks to ensure secure and fair barangay elections this Monday and relatively remain steadfast in its anti-criminality efforts.