PNP says security measures set for Barangay, SK elections 2023

From left to right, ACCPI spokerperson Attorney Cherry Dela Cruz; PNP Deputy Chief for Administration Police Lieutenant General Rhodel Sermonia; PRO-7 Regional Director Police Brigadier General Anthony Aberin; and APC Visayas Deputy Commander Police Major General Arthur Cabalona, during a press conference at the PRO-7 headquarters on August 24,2023. CDN Digital photo | Emmariel Ares

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) said its security measures are all set to ensure that the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) 2023 will be ‘honest, peaceful, and credible.’

This was assured by Police Lieutenant General Rhodel Sermonia, Deputy Chief for Administration of the Philippine National Police (PNP), who visited the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) Headquarters in Camp Sergio Osmeña Sr., Cebu City on Thursday, August 24, 2023.

Sermonia told Cebu reporters that they have recently completed their security conference with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), and their partner agencies such as the Philippine Coastguard and the Armed Forces of the Philippines at Camp Crame.

Gun ban, liquor ban

As a result of the conference, the PNP has laid down the various security aspects that will help ensure that the upcoming election season will be “honest, peaceful, and credible,” according to Sermonia.

“Napaka-importante po yun ah, credible – walang halong dayaan. Peaceful – para yung mga kandidato natin [at] yung mga supporters nila ay mabigyan ng warning na kailangan maki-isa sila sa ating pamahalaan at wag po silang maging parte ng kagulohan,” he stated.

Among these security measures are the implementation of gun ban and liquor ban for the election season, said Sermonia.

The deputy chief also said that they have laid down the different phases of the election season and every activity that the running candidates will be taking part in.

“Inilatag din po natin yung mga iba’t-ibang mga phases o stages kung kailan sila pwedeng mangampanya, kailan ang filing of candidates’ candidacy, at mga iba’t ibang aktibidades patungkol po sa election na darating,” he said.

Eyes on Negros Oriental

On the other hand, Sermonia also expressed that they expect the upcoming election in Negros Oriental to go smoothly as things are now back to normal.

It can be recalled that on March 4, 2023, the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo inside his own home by gunmen caused a stir in the province and the whole country.

Months after the incident, Sermonia stated that the situation in the province is now under control by the PNP.

“We have learned with what had happened in Negros Oriental and I can confidently say that the Philippine National Police, along with our partner agencies especially the Armed Forces of the Philippines, diyan sa particular na area na yan, manageable, managed na po natin,” he said.

Sermonia added that they do not see any reason for the election season in the province to not be peaceful as the suspects responsible for the killing of the governor and eight other persons have already been arrested and charged for the crimes that they have committed.

“We don’t see any reason na may mga kalokohana na mangyayari din,” he said.

The PNP official credited this development not just to the efforts of the security personnel in Negros Oriental but also to the vigilance of the public which aided in the successful apprehension of the suspects.

“Maliban of course sa presensya ng ating mga sundalo [at] mga kapulisan, ay naging vigilants na rin po ang ating mga kababayan diyan sa Negros Oriental. So salamat po sa ating mga kababayan sa Negros Oriental kasi napaka-importante po yung kanilang active participation,” stated Sermonia.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) earlier announced that the election period will begin on Monday, August 28 until November 29, 2023. While the Election Day is scheduled on October 30, 2023.

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