Negros police ready for May 13 elections

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – We are on top of the situation.

This was stressed by Police Colonel Romeo Baleros, director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), when asked about their security preparations in the province, two days before the elections on May 13, 2019.

In a press briefing, Baleros said police officers and soldiers were deployed to their respective areas of responsibility starting May 9.

A total of 3,251 security officers composed of cops and soldiers were sent off last Monday for poll security duties.

Two policemen will be assigned in every polling precinct with an additional personnel from the local police, and augmentation forces, Baleros said.

The Negros top cop said the deployment of personnel is based on the situation on the ground.

Baleros said they are aiming for peaceful and safe elections, as ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte who visited the town of Moises Padilla last Wednesday for a security conference.

He said the president reiterated that policemen and soldiers should remain apolitical and neutral.

He also warned the New People’s Army (NPA) to never disrupt the electoral process on Monday.

“Let the people choose their own candidates,” Baleros quoted the President as saying.