The Philippine National Police regional office here on Monday deployed some 237 police officers to augment police provincial offices (PPOs) in the region a week before the midterm elections.

Speaking to reporters, Police Regional Office -Eastern Visayas (PRO-8) Director Brig. Gen. Jay Cumigad said the deployment from the regional headquarters and regional support units is timely since there will be final testing and sealing of over 5,600 automated counting machines across the region on May 6.

Of the 237 policemen, 104 are temporarily assigned at the Leyte PPO, 40 at Southern Leyte, 50 at Eastern Samar PPO, and 43 at Samar PPO.

“They are deployed in areas with personnel gaps. They will bolster existing forces to ensure secure, accurate, free, and fair elections in their respective areas of assignment,” Cumigad added.

Aside from those deployed to the provinces, 127 policemen from the national headquarters and regional support units will comprise the Regional Reactionary Standby Support Force. They will remain on standby and ready for immediate deployment wherever needed across the region.

PRO-8 has been under full alert status from May 3 until May 15 as part of the intensified preparations for the upcoming 2025 National and Local Elections.

Under full alert status, all police leave or vacations are suspended to ensure full-force deployment, according to Cumigad.

The entire force of PRO 8 is deployed on the streets to maintain peace and order before, during, and after the May 12 elections.

The police regional chief has been personally checking the designated checkpoints to directly provide guidance and ensure that the deployed police forces are fully prepared for any disruptions. (PNA)