Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil on Wednesday said every plan that would ensure a peaceful and orderly May 12 midterm polls is now in place, especially the deployment of around 163,000 police personnel across the country.
Marbil made this assurance as he spearheaded the activation of the PNP Media Action Center at Camp Crame’s Command Center.
The Media Action Center will function as a centralized hub for real-time information dissemination and media coordination throughout the election period to ensure transparency, rapid response, and public awareness.
The PNP also activated its National Election Monitoring Action Center (NEMAC) that will serve as the real-time monitoring of the situation across the country to ensure immediate response during and after the election day on May 12.
NEMAC will also receive reports from the public through 911. Each report is forwarded to the concerned PNP unit for response.
“One hundred percent na kami, kumpleto (We are 100 percent complete). We are just showing you how prepared we are, but 100 percent na kami (already). We are prepared for the elections, kaya nga (that’s why) last time is we are helping Comelec transport yung ACM [automated counting machine] nila (their ACM),” Marbil said.
He said the PNP’s goal is zero violence during election day, adding that they have not monitored any threat.
“We have a goal that really zero violence, we want to make sure this midterm election will become honest, orderly, and peaceful. Our goal is that people can vote freely,” he added.
Marbil said all police regional offices (PROs) will commence the send-off ceremonies for the deployment of police personnel to their designated polling precincts and areas of concern on Thursday.
Marbil encouraged the public to report any incident, including vote buying, using the PNP’s upgraded E-911 hotline.
He reminded all PNP personnel to remain apolitical, saying anyone caught engaging in partisan activities will face immediate disciplinary action and possible dismissal from the service. (PNA)
