PNP deploys thousands of officers in key regions ahead of midterms

On Tuesday, the Philippine National Police regional offices in Leyte, Bicol, Pangasinan, Central Luzon, and Ilocos Norte deployed officers ahead of the midterm elections scheduled for May 12.

In addition to the deployment in Western Visayas with 1,528 uniformed personnel, the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPO) has dispatched 2,408 personnel across polling centers, while more than 12,000 police officers from the Police Regional Office 3 have been deployed across various polling precincts in Central Luzon.

In Ilocos Norte, a total of 1,533 PNP personnel and 164 partner agency members were dispatched to ensure election safety and peace.

These forces will be augmented by allied units and national support teams such as the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard to ensure safety and security in areas under yellow category due to intense political rivalries.

The PPO director emphasized the importance of remaining apolitical and focused on duty, with personnel serving as escorts for automated counting machines (ACMs) dispatched by Comelec, while INPPO chief Col. Frederick Obar assured that his units have remained non-partisan and stable since May 3.