PNP deploys 163,000 police for midterm elections

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will deploy a total of 163,000 police personnel starting Thursday, May 8, to secure the upcoming midterm elections.

During an activation ceremony for the Media Action Center (MAC) at Camp Crame on Wednesday, PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil emphasized the importance of impartiality and professionalism among officers, assuring that all plans are now in place for a peaceful election day on May 12.

Regional police offices will begin sending their personnel to designated polling precincts starting Thursday, with an additional 38,000 personnel from partner government agencies also being deployed for support.

The Kontra-Bigay campaign against vote-buying and other election-related violations will formally start on May 9, as the PNP urges the public to report incidents through its E-911 hotline.

Marbil highlighted that the upgraded E-911 emergency response system is critical for responding promptly to any election-related emergencies or threats, stressing that there must be no violence during the campaign period and on Election Day, May 12.