PNP on full alert for peaceful elections, deploys 160,000 cops

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is on full alert status, deploying over 160,000 officers nationwide to ensure a peaceful and orderly election process.

The PNP-Anti Cybercrime Group will join patrols to monitor for potential spying activities.

Authorities have identified 370 areas of concern, a reduction from the 800 initially listed.

As of May 8, the PNP has apprehended 2,863 gun ban violators, with 195 arrested at checkpoints.

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has personally overseen final election security preparations, with the police force on heightened security status since May 3.

No serious security threats have been monitored so far ahead of the midterm elections.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is also fully prepared, having deployed 16,489 personnel across the country for election security.

Army personnel were deployed in 661 AFP-PNP-Comelec checkpoints and 63,663 polling precincts as of May 4.