GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The Police Regional Office (PRO)-12 has stepped up its intelligence and security operations against “threat groups” that are likely planning to disrupt the May 2019 elections.
Chief Supt. Eliseo Rasco, regional director of the Police Regional Office-12, said Friday that local police units are monitoring the presence and movements of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and other armed groups.
Rasco said police units around the region are implementing the comprehensive security plans crafted to respond to threats related to the next year’s polls. The security plans cover concerns and activities before, during and after the May 13, 2019 elections, he said.
PRO-12 convened here Wednesday the region’s chiefs of police and heads of support units for a command conference that specifically focused on the May 2019 polls.
He said they assessed and discussed possible problems that might arise during the “pre-election, election day and post-election period” within the region’s four provinces and five cities.
“We looked at some strategies as well as the best approach and solutions to prevent the occurrence of possible election-related incidents,” Rasco said.
For the “threat groups,” the police official said they are monitoring extortion activities and the imposition of “permits-to-campaign,” especially in areas that are considered as strongholds of the NPA and other groups.
He said the other concerns that came up are the possible intense rivalries of candidates in some areas; safety of candidates gunning for national and local positions; possible shortage of police personnel to secure polling centers; inaccessible areas by land and water transportation during the elections; and the lack of telecommunication signal in some areas.
Rasco said they also tackled the sanctions for police officers and personnel that might be found engaging in “electioneering activities.”
Intensified law enforcement operations and related activities will also continue to ensure the safety of local communities, the police official added. (PNA)
