PNP intensifies security measures for May polls

By Connie Calipay

The Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) intensified its security measures as the local campaign period officially started on March 25.

In a statement, Brig. Gen. Jonnel C. Estomo, PRO5 regional director, directed all the unit commanders to intensify their efforts and initiatives to ensure the holding of free, orderly, honest, and peaceful May 2022 national and local elections.

“We are in close coordination with the Commission on Election (Comelec) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to continue to establish checkpoints all over the region,” he said.

Estomo added that Bicol police maintains aggressive and persistent anti-criminality campaigns as an effective means of sustaining its gains.

“Sa darating na eleksyon, sinisiguro namin na nakahanda ang buong hanay ng inyong KASUROG Cops para tiyakin ang isang maayos, ligtas at mapayapang halalan,” Estomo said.

Police forces in the region are now also on alert as a way to continuously condemn the atrocities and inhuman acts of the New People’s Army as it celebrates its 53rd founding anniversary on March 29, 2022.

PNP Bicol assures the public that they will continue to strengthen their effort to sustain the gains of the government through the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) against the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG).

“This also covers the intensification of its target hardening and observance of the three-tiered defense system in anticipation of NPA offensive attacks. This unit also steps up in neutralizing communist rebels with a standing warrant of arrest,” the post read.

Maximum deployment of personnel was ordered to monitor the actual situation and respond to the call for help from the community.

“We assure the public of our preparedness to take action and protect the people of Bicol from the inhume attacks of the NPA,” Estomo said.

The New People’s Army (NPA) is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) known to stage armed offensive actions to drumbeat commemoration of significant dates in the underground communist organization.

Meanwhile, 60 assorted unlicensed firearms from 66 arrested violators were confiscated since the start of police operation in line with the implementation of the gun ban.

Based on record, the province of Masbate had the highest number of arrested violators which is 24, followed by Camarines Sur with 13; Sorsogon with 11; Albay with 10; Camarines Norte with six and Naga City with two. Meanwhile, Catanduanes province has no recorded and reported violators.