PRO8 all set for barangay polls

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
October 7, 2013

CAMP SEC. KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) assured that all security preparations and operations are now underway as some 2.6 million voters in Eastern Visayas troops to polling centers for the October 28 barangay elections.

PRO8 director PCSupt. Elmer R. Soria informed that weeks prior to the start of the election period, he already issued the PRO8 Command Memorandum Circular No. 23/2013 “SAFE 2013– Alpha–Waray” setting forth the security measures to be undertaken by police territorial units in relation to the October polls.

“The circular calls for intensified intelligence-driven law enforcement operations and strengthened police-community partnership to preclude violence and ensure order before, during and after the elections,” Soria said.

He added that said directive also set the policy guidelines for the dynamic cooperation with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through the Joint Security Control Center (JPSCC).

“Our partnership with our military counterparts aims to thwart attempts by the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee to take advantage of the situation to raise funds through extortion activities and expand their foothold into peaceful communities,” the police official disclosed.

Among the proactive security measures is the strict implementation of a 45-day gun ban that so far resulted in the arrest of 13 violators, confiscation of eight firearms, eight bladed weapons and 41 assorted ammunitions; and filing of charges in court for violations of the Omnibus Election Code.

During Monday’s staff conference, Soria reiterated his directive to unit commanders to make an honest-to-goodness assessment of the situation in the barangay level so that appropriate measures will be initiated attuned to the security needs on the ground.

The police regional chief further directed his men to sustain police presence through mobile patrolling and intensify checkpoint operations in strategic areas.

He likewise ordered the organization of trackers team to run after wanted criminals especially in areas having intense political rivalries between candidates and their supporters.