29 Western Visayas Cops Deployed to Mindanao for Elections

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Police Regional Office 6 has committed 29 personnel for deployment to Mindanao for election duties.

They were officially turned over to the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao following a sendoff ceremony Tuesday, April 29, at the PRO-6 Multi-Purpose Hall, Camp Delgado in Iloilo City.

The selected personnel will act as Special Electoral Board members during the May 12 BARMM elections.

Eleven of the 29 police officers are from the Iloilo Police Provincial Office, six from the Capiz PPO, four each from the Aklan PPO and Antique PPO, and two from the Iloilo City Police Office.

Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, Western Visayas police chief, presided over the sendoff ceremony, which was also attended by Atty. Jekar Francis Sullano from the Commission on Elections.

Wanky said the ceremony marked the formal deployment and demonstrated the Philippine National Police’s commitment to upholding the integrity of free and secure electoral processes during the May 12 midterm polls.

He reminded PRO-6 personnel of their duties and responsibilities as police officers and Special Electoral Board members.

“This is the first time in election history that PRO-6 is sending augmentation to another region for election duties,” he said.

Wanky explained that the deployment was done out of necessity and the demand for services in that area.

He emphasized that police in Western Visayas must always be ready to provide support.

“As you travel to Mindanao, remember that you are carrying the banner of PRO-6. We expect you to showcase PRO-6’s brand of service—tanpad kag sensors nga serbisyo—wherever you may be assigned,” he said.

Sullano extended his gratitude to the PNP for its support of the Comelec.

He also reminded PNP personnel deployed for augmentation to perform their duties in accordance with rules and regulations.