PNP orders expedited probes into election-related incidents

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil on Monday ordered all police units across the country to expedite investigations into validated election-related incidents.

The directive, issued at the behest of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., aims to prevent violence and intimidation from undermining democratic processes.

As of Tuesday, May 20, the PNP has recorded 100 validated ERIs, with 16 more suspected incidents still undergoing validation, bringing the total number of validated election-related killings to 20 as reported on May 15.

Marbil instructed regional and provincial directors to submit progress reports on these cases and ensure that all perpetrators are held accountable.

The chief emphasized the need for swift justice to maintain public trust in the electoral process, noting that increased recorded incidents reflect heightened police vigilance rather than a rise in fraud.