By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is all set to secure the start of the election campaign for local candidates on Friday.
NCRPO Director, Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, said Wednesday that part of security measures is deploying more police officers to areas where local candidates are expected to visit and hold their respective campaign programs.
“Ang NCRPO ay maglalatag ng isang kumprehensibong security coverage upang matiyak na ang lahat ng aktibidad sa panahon ng kampanya ay magiging payapa at naaayon sa batas (The NCRPO will lay down comprehensive security coverage to ensure that all activities in the campaign period would be peaceful and in accordance with the law),” Aberin said in a statement.
He urged the candidates to focus on presenting their platforms and cooperate with the police’s security plan.
“The campaign period is the time for the local candidates to present their plan and advocacy. On the part of your NCRPO, we will make sure that all the areas where the candidates and the people converge will be safe and peaceful,” he said,
Aberin noted that police personnel have been deployed to places where candidates’ supporters are expected to gather.
All deployment and security preparations, he said, are under the supervision of the Commission in Elections.
The NCRPO is also coordinating with the poll body for any adjustments in security plans and is identifying areas with a high probability of poll violence and intense political rivalry, he added.
The comprehensive security plan that the NCRPO crafted also covers the observance of Holy Week – from the exodus of thousands of people in Metro Manila to the provinces until their return to their homes and workplaces in the metropolis, he said.
“Sa ganitong paraan, magkakaroon ng pagkakataon ang bawat Pilipino na maipahayag ang kanilang boto nang malaya at may kumpiyansa (This way, every Filipino will have a chance to express their vote freely and confidently),” Aberin added.
The campaign period for local candidates runs until May 10.
Campaign activities are prohibited on April 17-18 (Maundy Thursday and Good Friday). (PNA)
