BACOLOD CITY — A total of 1,811 personnel under the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) will secure the conduct of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in the province on May 14.
The troops were gathered during the send-off ceremony of forces and resources plus prayer for peace held at the provincial police headquarters in Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. here on Friday.
Provincial Elections Supervisor Jessie Suarez, in his inspirational message, challenged the policemen to once again help ensure a clean, honest, orderly, secure and peaceful elections in the province.
“In the previous elections, the men and women of the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police with other stakeholders have successfully delivered. I see no reason why we cannot do it again,” he added.
Suarez emphasized the need for law enforcers to work closely with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
“Let’s us just have an open line of communication. Cooperate and coordinate with our people in the Comelec. Any problem in the field should be coordinated with us so that we can address it through our Provincial Joint Security Control Center,” he added.
He told the policemen that during elections, they are the “protector of democracy.”
“Let us protect the will of our people. Just remain in the middle ground so there will be no problem,” Suarez urged them.
Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil, police provincial director, reminded the troops to always remain neutral and non-partisan.
“We should keep this in mind, this is a barangay election, they (officials) will be in office for only three years. You should not sacrifice your career in police service,” he added.
Castil also told the policemen to respect human rights at all times and strictly observe police operational procedures.
“My wish is after the election, no policeman will have to face charges,” he added.
Moreover, Castil urged his men to display or show professionalism, competence
and discipline during security operations as well as do one commendable act a day.
“Lastly, hope and pray for a safe and secure elections,” he added.
The 1,811 troops to be deployed include 1,394 personnel from all city and municipal stations in Negros Occidental; 177 from the provincial headquarters; 160 from the Regional Police Holding Assistance Unit; and 80 from the Bacolod City Police Office.
Superintendent Ervin Glenn Provido, deputy police director for operations of Negros Occidental, said that aside from the 1,811 policemen, additional personnel will be deployed by the Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire Protection, Special Action Force, and the Regional Mobile Battalion Force-6.
He added that out of the total police deployment, 230 are augmentation troops from the Police Regional Office-6, including the 80 from Bacolod police and those assigned to the provincial headquarters. (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)
