PNP tightens security for 2nd BOL plebiscite

Security measures are now in place for the second plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in Mindanao on Feb. 6, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said over 3,000 police officers would be deployed in areas in Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato where the plebiscite will be held on Feb. 6.

“The PNP is now ready to assume elections duties anew for the second BOL plebiscite,” he said in a press conference.

The specific areas to be covered are the towns of Baloi, Munai, Nunungan, Pantar, Tagoloan and Tangkal in Lanao del Norte, and 39 barangays in the municipalities of Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pigkawayan and Pikit in North Cotabato to determine their inclusion in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Albayalde said a send-off ceremony will be held today in Cagayan de Oro City for the police officers rendering election duties and secure the 588 polling centers in the two provinces.

A monitoring action center will be put in place in the Police Regional Office 12 in General Santos City.

Albayalde earlier said he will visit Lanao del Norte, which they consider a critical area especially in the midterm elections in May, to supervise security measures.

“Ako po ay personal na pupunta at isusupervise yan,” he said.