Police Lieutenant Colonel Maria Theresa Macatangay, information officer of the Cebu City Police Office. | CDN Digital photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Of the 80 barangays in Cebu City, none was placed under election watchlist as police here anticipate a generally peaceful May 2022 election.
“Well, that is part of the consideration of the deployment of forces but fortunately here in Cebu City, we do not have an area here that we can really consider as watchlist or hotspot areas. So we are looking at a generally peaceful election this coming May,” said Police Lieutenant Colonel Maria Theresa Macatangay, the information officer of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).
Macatangay said they have not received any information that might disrupt the conduct of the elections here, particularly of those private armed groups (PAGs). With that, police could ‘categorically’ say that there is no presence of PAGs.
Macatangay said that what remains their challenge is to ensure that the city’s peace and order status will remain even during the election period. They also continue their anti-criminality campaign, making sure that residents will be able to practice their rights to vote.
If there is a need to relieve police officers, they will be doing so only when needed.
“The PNP is not prevented from relieving certain officers under certain circumstances. As you look at the guidelines, as long as the relief is compliant to certain guidelines by the PNP, naa many parameters, then subsequently approved by the Comelec, then relief is in order,” she said.
/bmjo
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