POLICE Regional Office 7 (PRO7) Director Brigadier General Roque Edgardo DP Vega on Saturday said he has ordered his men to fully observe “maximum tolerance” in dealing with supporters of Vice President Leni Robredo, who are protesting the results of the May 9 elections.

The Central Visayas Police director assured the citizenry they are 100% ready to keep peace and order in the region while handling expected opposition rallies against last Monday’s presidential election, which showed Marcos Jr. topping Robredo by more than 16 million votes.

The vote-rich province of Cebu delivered over two million votes for the tandem of Marcos Jr. and his running-mate, Davao City Mayor and presidential daughter Sara Duterte.

Based on the official Comelec (Commission on Elections) Cebu report, Marcos received 1,055,985 votes while Duterte received 1,258,538 votes.

391,080 Central Visayas voters voted for Vice President Robredo, or around 700,000 votes less than the former senator received.

A total of 2.1 million voters cast their votes in the region last Monday.

Brig. Gen. Vega called on those who supported VP Robredo to maintain their calm as they will allow them to air their grievances and sentiments peacefully.

However, he joined the Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership headed by Lieutenant Gen. Vicente D. Danao Jr. in calling on Robredo supporters to “respect the vote of the majority”.

He added that people or groups opposed to the election’s unofficial results should file their protests and complaints before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Brig. Gen. Vega said that he has alerted all Central Visayas police units, specifically those stationed in Cebu province, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Mandaue City, to maintain vigilance and continue monitoring the movement of large groups of people.

Lt. Gen. Danao earlier ordered the monitoring of post-election activities of different groups opposed to the “landslide victory” of the Marcos-Duterte tandem in the presidential and vice-presidential races.

The top cop said the monitoring is needed since it is their prime duty to maintain peace and order and prevent “chaos” in the streets that may affect innocent civilians and properties if the anti-government protesters turn violent.

However, Lt. Gen. Danao said he has instructed his men to observe maximum tolerance if big demonstrations or rallies will be held by personalities and groups that can’t accept the results of the election or majority vote.

“We understand the sentiment of the supporters, and we respect the citizen’s right of self-expression. However, we are appealing to the concerned groups to refrain from engaging in activities that can instigate and disrupt peace and order in the community,” Danao said.

The PNP Officer-in-Charge (OIC) reiterated his call on the public to remain vigilant, especially when joining mass gatherings, since the COVID-19 virus remains, and all are required to maintain physical distancing and wear face masks.

“Now is another opportunity to show goodwill by being responsible citizens of this country. The essence of real democracy is grounded on respect and discipline fostering the general welfare of the Filipinos,” Lt. Gen. Danao said.

“This very crucial season in the Philippines’ political landscape was marked with the cooperation from the citizens who exercised a valuable role in defending their votes as well. The PNP recognizes the active participation of the Filipinos at large paving the way for peaceful elections,” he added. By Alfred Dalizon