PNP to use ‘full force of the law’ to prevent electoral fraud, chaos
MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it will implement the “full force of the law” on election day.
Acting police chief Gen. Vicente Danao, Jr. said they are continuously monitoring threats, most especially reports of cheating and vote-buying.
He said he is following President Rodrigo Duterte’s orders to ensure peaceful and orderly elections.
Government deployed at least 60,000 cops nationwide for election-related duties today.
“I warn you people ‘no lalung-lalo na itong mga gustong mag-destabilize ng electorate process po natin – we will use the full force of the law in going against you,” Danao said in a public briefing.
“Hindi po papayag ang inyong pamunuan na may mangyayari pong pandaraya at may mangyayari pong panggugulo sa electoral process po. Hindi po ako papayag diyan,” he added.
Police spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said some 12,000 police personnel have been deployed nationwide as standby forces.
The national police said 18,672 members of PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Department of Education (DepEd) will be deployed on today.
At least 24 towns and cities have been declared under Comelec control and these will be the focus of the deployment of the police, military and PCG this week, Fajardo earlier said.
Duterte earlier said the government will not allow “terrorism” in today’s polls.
“Kami taga-enforce the law and we will enforce it. Maniwala kayo’t sa hindi, totohanin ko kayo, we will enforce the law to make the election peaceful,” he said in a taped address on April 18.
Around 65.7 million domestic voters are expected to cast their ballots today.