SENDOFF. More than 600 augmentation personnel will help secure the conduct of the May 14 polls in Antique. Photo shows the sendoff ceremony held at Antique Provincial Police Office Parade Grounds on Friday (May 11, 2018). (Photo by Annabel Petinglay)
SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique --The 635 augmentation force for the Antique Provincial Police Office (APPO) has been deployed to 18 municipalities of the province starting Friday to help ensure a fair and peaceful conduct of the synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
APPO Provincial Director Leo Irwin Agpangan led the send-off ceremony with Election Supervisor III Atty. Roberto A. Salazar of the Commission on Elections at the APPO Parade Grounds Friday.
He told the augmentation force that he is sending them completely safe and alert with the expectation that they would be home unscathed and safe after the May 14 polls. “I am thankful for the augmentation force,” he said in his message.
Likewise, Salazar said that he is appreciative of the Police Regional Office 6 (Western Visayas) (PRO6) for the additional police sent to Antique to help ensure that the right to suffrage of the people would be protected.
Salazar said that some members of the augmentation force coming from other provinces may not be able to vote because of their assignment during the election in Antique but they still willingly accepted the assignment to secure the election process.
He added that just in case the security in the area where they are assigned deteriorates, the police should particularly assist the Board of Election Tellers since like them they are also doing their duties on that day.
“Take care of yourselves,” Salazar also told the police.
Superintendent Norby Escobar, Antique Provincial Police Office (APPO) deputy director for operations, said there will be two police officers who will be assigned in the assistance desk set up per polling precinct in the province.
There are 520 polling precincts throughout the province and so the augmentation force will be assigned with the regular police personnel of the APPO on Election Day or until the election period is over. (PNA)
