By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde on Monday commended the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) for confiscating nearly 1,500 unregistered firearms since the election gun ban started on January 13 this year.
“I am pleased to take note of the latest operational accomplishments of NCRPO under Police Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar in the implementation of the Comelec-imposed gun ban,” Albayalde told reporters in the media briefing on Monday.
A week before the May 13 polls, the NCRPO has effectively reduced the possibility of election-violence by taking away 1,498 firearms from the hands of unauthorized individuals and criminal elements.
The NCRPO has also seized contrabands such as 670 pointed weapons, five grenades, 22 improvised explosive devices and 3,226 ammunitions.
A total of 1,104 persons were arrested in relation to Omnibus Election Code in Metro Manila, according to the NCRPO.
Eleazar said the NCRPO will conduct more checkpoints and police presence will be increased in different areas of Metro Manila until the last day of election gun ban on June 13.
“I have guided all NCRPO police officers to act in accordance with their mandate and conscience — to be above political affairs, to be fair, judicious and determined so we can uphold the integrity of the elections,” Eleazar said.
“Arrest those who violate the Election code, charge them and pursue their cases in court — that is my order to all our police officers. As such, I am requesting all candidates and stakeholders in this coming election to exercise prudence and fair play,” he added.
Eleazar also urged the Metro Manilans to exercise their right of suffrage by participating in the May 13 mid-term elections.
“Our 2019 mid-term elections is at hand. I urge all our residents in Metro Manila to go to their polling precincts and exercise their rights to select the leaders of their communities as well as the lawmakers of our country. I urge you all to vote early and wisely,” he said.
Meanwhile, Albayalde said strict election law enforcement elsewhere has resulted in the arrest of 10 persons in Bacoor, Cavite for alleged violation of Section 261 of Batas Pambansa 881 (Omnibus Election Code) for vote-buying.
“This operation manifests the keen resolve of the PNP to implement all election laws and resolution of the Comelec (Commission on Elections) against election offenses and other prohibited acts during the election period, contrary to what was misunderstood that we tolerate or encourage vote-buying,” Albayalde said.
“We will never allow any illegal act of vote-buying and we will implement all elections laws without fear or favor,” he added.
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