MANILA -- The effective coordination with other security forces and agencies tasked to secure the mid-term elections is the main reason for the relatively minimal incidents of poll related-violence this year, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday.
PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde also attributed this to the massive preparations conducted by the PNP and its partner agencies which started in 2018.
These include police interventions and risk reductions like the implementation of search warrants and campaigns against known gun-for-hires, private armed groups.
Based on PNP records, Albayalde said they were able to arrest 5,000 suspects aside from recovering or capturing more than 5,000 weapons of various types.
"This was a national endeavor that we prepared hard for to ensure that our countrymen may go to the polls in peace and render their share in the realization of a better and brighter future for our nation," Albayalde said in a press conference in Camp Crame.
Albayalde also extended the PNP's deepest gratitude to their partners in this exercise -- the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) -- for the trust, the strong support and cooperation in ensuring the peaceful and safe conduct of the elections, in securing the ballot, and in keeping the peace in the communities on Election Day and during the entire election period.
"Together with the AFP and the Comelec, we have done our best. And we hope that the success of this electoral exercise will further motivate and inspire us to work more closely together as we now welcome the duly elected leaders and usher in a brighter future for our nation," he said.
"Also, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for his unflinching support in providing the logistical needs, through our Capability Enhancement Program and stepping up the morale of the 190,000-force of the PNP that immensely improved our capability to ensure a fair, safe, and secured conduct of the 2019 National and Local Elections," the PNP chief stressed.
The country's top cop also thanked local government units, members of the community, the media and all other stakeholders for their vigilance, support and cooperation they extended to the police force since the start of their security preparations up to the Election Day and the final days of the election period.
Albayalde also commended the 517 PNP personnel who served as members of the Election Board in the absence of teachers in regions PRO BARMM, PRO Cordillera, Region 9, and Region 10.
"I lead the Philippine National Police in enjoining the rest of our countrymen to cast aside their political differences and once again unite in working together with greater optimism as we all face new challenges ahead in our nation’s continuing journey towards lasting peace and progress," Albayalde said.
Albayalde's remarks were echoed by the Phillippine Army (PA)
"Through the close coordination of the Comelec, local government units, PNP and AFP, the government troops were able to ensure the peaceful exercise of the citizen’s right to vote nationwide," Army spokesperson, Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, said in a statement Tuesday.
Zagala said the PA deployed 812 officers, 19,854 enlisted personnel, and 9,932 CAFGU Active Auxiliaries to provide security support during the elections.
"The Army recorded minimal violent incidents. Isolated cases of harassment, explosion, and vote buying were immediately addressed by the troops while people who violated the gun ban were also apprehended and arrested," the PA spokesperson stressed.
As an early preparation for the election, PA troops were stationed in their designated areas two days prior the casting of votes. Soldiers secured poll precincts and helped in the transport of election materials in "hot spot" areas.
"The Army is still on red alert status nationwide this election period to ensure that the troops are ready to respond to any security threats. The mission of the PA is to support the Comelec in the conduct of a credible, honest, and safe election in line with its mandate to serve the people," Zagala added. (with reports from Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
