THE Philippine National Police and the Commission on Elections are constantly evaluating all threats to the May 12 national and local elections and are plugging all leaks needed to ensure that the polls would be the ‘most orderly and peaceful.’

Last week, PNP chief, General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil and Comelec chairman George Erwin M. Garcia led the 2nd Meeting of the Security Task Force for the 2025 NLE at Camp Crame.

The meeting aimed to evaluate the current threat landscape and enhance security preparations for the upcoming elections.

Gen. Marbil emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration in ensuring a peaceful and orderly electoral process during the event wherein critical topics and other issues pertaining to the election period were discussed.

Among them were the Current Risk and Threat Assessment presented by PNP Director for Intelligence, Major Gen. Westrimundo D. Obinque and the Updates on Security Preparations for the 2025 NLE presented by PNP Director for Operations and Deputy Commander of Special Task Force 2025 NLE, Maj. Gen. Nicolas S. Salvador.

The poll body likewise provided updates on election-related preparations, including the implementation of Comelec-supervised checkpoints, enforcement of the Fair Election Act, and stricter measures against vote-buying and other election-related offenses.

The PNP and the Comelec underscored their commitment to ensure a safe, credible and transparent elections.

The President has continuously stressed the need for strict law enforcement and proactive security measures to protect the sanctity of the ballot and safeguard democracy.

As of press time, police nationwide have apprehended more than 1,500 violators of the Comelec-imposed gun ban, majority of them civilians.

Police have also confiscated more than 1,600 firearms and other deadly weapons across the country since the start of the prohibition on the unauthorized carrying of guns last January 12. The gun ban will be until June 11 this year.

Of the total number of violators, more than 150 were arrested in checkpoints; more than 700 in police responses; over 250 in anti-illegal drug operations; nearly 100 in operations against gun traffickers and smugglers; and over 350 in other law enforcement operations.

Of the total firearms seized, more than 140 were recovered by policemen manning Comelec-supervised checkpoints; over 700 in police responses; more than 250 in anti-narcotics operations; over 100 in gun buy-bust operations; and more than 400 in other law enforcement operations.

So far, two suspected violent ERIs have been recorded in Cordillera Administrative Region and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Two Non-Violent ERIs were also recorded in Western and Southern Mindanao.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon