The Police Regional Office in Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) will deploy additional officers to serve as special electoral board (SEB) members in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
During a briefing on Monday, PRO-10 Director Brig. Gen. Jaysen de Guzman announced that 400 officers will be deployed as SEB members, supporting the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in ensuring a smooth and secure electoral process.
The deployment addresses the updated list of election hotspots released by the Comelec on March 19, including 30 towns in BARMM and approximately 20 of those located in Lanao del Sur.
Regarding potential disruptions from the New People’s Army, including extortion activities, De Guzman stated that they continue to closely monitor operations in hinterland communities despite lack of reports.
“If municipal police stations perceive potential threats in their areas, the deployment of mobile forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines will be deemed necessary,” he said.
In a related development, the PRO-10 headquarters conducted absentee voting, allowing 220 personnel to cast their ballots in advance. (PNA)