Metro Manila all set for midterm polls

MANILA — Metro Manila is all set for Monday’s mid-term elections, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Friday.

“All the 8,298 vote counting machines (VCM) were delivered in 723 polling centers,” NCRPO Chief, Major Gen. Guillermo Eleazar told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

“The final testing and sealing of VCMs are all done and all official ballots were transported from the National Printing Office to the City Treasurer’s Office last week,” Eleazar added.

The Metro Manila top cop said 16,000 policemen will be deployed to secure Monday’s polls.

“This (personnel deployment) is not just in polling centers or canvassing areas but also to maintain our anti-criminality efforts,” he said.

“There’s no room to be complacent, the criminal elements might strike anytime, anywhere basta may opportunity sila,” said Eleazar.

He also said that the NCRPO continues to implement the gun ban and checkpoint operations all over in Metro Manila until the last day of the election gun ban on June 13.

Eleazar also directed his five district directors to “always ask directives from the Comelec” on possible security problems they will encounter in voting precincts.

The five districts covered by the NCRPO are the Manila Police District (MPD), Quezon City Police District (QCPD), Northern Police District (NPD), Southern Police District (SPD), and Eastern Police District (EPD)

“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.

He added the PNP has put all its units in Metro Manila on full alert.

“Full alert means the highest level of readiness in all police offices and units and all personnel should be accounted for 100 percent,” Eleazar said.

“All leaves are cancelled, except for those that are emergency in nature. All of our policemen are present in their different offices or stations,” he added.

Meanwhile, a day before the election day, the country will celebrate Mother’s Day, Eleazar has assured the public with the full effort of NCRPO to ensure the safety of each and every resident of Metro Manila will have a peaceful celebration of the day entitled for the best person in our lives.

“As we celebrate the Mother’s Day, we expect that families will flock to malls, amusement parks, restaurants, and other places of entertainment and leisure. Your NCRPO police officers will be nearby, in case you will need police assistance. We would like to remind the public to be wary about would be criminals who will take advantage of the occasion. Report these suspicious people immediately to your nearest policeman or station,” said Eleazar.

“The NCRPO acknowledges the roles and sacrifices of all the mothers out there. My snappiest salute to all of you. Happy Mother’s Day to all,” he noted.