The Philippine National Police (PNP) affirmed its full support for the deputation of law enforcement agencies for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections and said it is ready to perform its election security duties.
This is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., through the guidance of Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, to ensure peaceful, orderly, honest and credible BARMM parliamentary elections through close coordination among law enforcement agencies and election stakeholders.
The President authorized the deputation of the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other concerned agencies to assist the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in securing the BARMM polls.
“Strong coordination between the PNP and its security partners and stakeholders that include the community is a tried-and-tested formula in ensuring the efficient implementation of election security plans,” said PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., in a statement on Friday.
“We have long prepared for this historic election in BARMM and the additional manpower and cooperation of our local stakeholders serve as an assurance that we would deliver the end goal of protecting all our kababayan in the region to exercise their right to vote peacefully,” he added.
The election period for the BARMM parliamentary polls officially began on July 16. The election gun ban also took effect on the same day and will remain in force until Sept. 29.
To enforce the prohibition on carrying firearms, the PNP has established checkpoints in cities and municipalities across the region. The police have also reported that they have not monitored any security threat since the implementation of the gun ban.
“Our police force remains committed to carrying out its mandate to protect the integrity of this democratic process,” Nartatez said.
He said the PNP will continue working closely with local government units, AFP and Comelec to sustain peaceful conditions throughout the election period. (PNA)