Marbil vows stronger security for May polls
PHILIPPINE National Police chief General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil yesterday assured the country of much stronger security measures to ensure peaceful and credible May 12 polls.
The top cop gave the assurance during the launching of the 100 Days Operational Activities and Solidarity-Pact Signing for the 2025 Mid-Term Polls and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Parliamentary Elections at Camp Crame.
The event was attended by Comelec spokesperson Rex John Laudiangco, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., and other top officials of the PNP, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting.
Gen. Marbil said they have long been preparing for the 2025 mid-term polls, particularly in their effort to address the presence of the so-called ‘Guns, Goons and Gold and now, Fake News.’
“Ang tanong is bakit every three years, nagagamit ang guns, goons and gold? Tapos me bago yung fake news. Anong dapat gawin in 100 days ng Comelec, AFP, Coast Guard, ng PNP? Ano accountability nyo? Ano role nyo?” he asked.
Gen. Marbil said in reality, they want specific targets to be accomplished during the forthcoming elections.
The PNP chief has outlined the PNP’s ongoing efforts to maintain peace and order, combat illegal drugs, and enhance cybersecurity, all while preparing for the challenges of the upcoming elections.
He said election security really has evolved over the years as he emphasized that while traditional threats such as “guns, goons, and gold” remain, a new and pressing concern — fake news — has emerged as a significant factor affecting the electoral process.
Gen. Marbil explained that the proliferation of illegal firearms and the presence of Private Armed Groups (PAGs) continue to pose a risk to fair elections, prompting the PNP to intensify its campaign against loose firearms and election-related violence.
Additionally, vote-buying and other corrupt practices remain a challenge, requiring a strong partnership between law enforcement and the Comelec to safeguard the integrity of the elections.
Beyond these traditional concerns, the PNP chief highlighted the growing impact of cybercrime and disinformation on electoral integrity.
“With the rapid spread of fake news and online manipulation, the PNP is strengthening its cybersecurity measures to counter misinformation that could mislead voters and disrupt the democratic process,” he said.
Gen. Marbil assured the public that the PNP is fully committed to ensuring a secure, fair, and peaceful election in 2025 as he underscored the importance of collaboration among the PNP, Comelec, the AFP and other government agencies, in safeguarding democracy.
As the country moves closer to election season, he emphasized that every effort is being made to protect the integrity of the democratic process, ensuring that the will of the people is upheld without fear, violence, or manipulation.
During the Camp Crame program, PNP Deputy Chief for Operations Lieutenant General Robert T. Rodriguez, also the commander of the National Task Force NLE 2025, said they have already planned and strategized together with the Comelec and other law enforcement agencies all things that needs to be done to address threats of terrorism and intimidation during the polling period.
“Next week, the campaign period for the national candidates will be in full swing, thus the PNP will remain vigilant against entities that will prevent our countrymen from exercising their fundamental rights and at the same time ensure the sanctity of the votes,” the official said.
PNP Director for Operations Major Gen. Nicolas S. Salvador in his presentation said they are looking at a “pattern of persistent and evolving security threats” to the election.
He cited a number of factors including intense political rivalries which often leads to violence; the presence of Partisan Armed Groups or PAGs, criminal gangs, and loose firearms, fake news influencing voter’s perception and public order, the Permit-to-Campaign being imposed by communist terrorist groups to generate funds for their movement and vote-buying and vote-selling which erodes the credibility of election results.
