As the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) nears, the Police Regional Office in Caraga (PRO-13) has started plotting measures to ensure an orderly and safe 2022 national and local elections.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) set the filing of COCs from October 1 to 8.

In a statement Tuesday, PRO-13 Director Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. said he has directed all stations and units to intensify police visibility.

“The directive is aimed to ensure an orderly, safe and secure 2022 national and local elections even in the midst of the threats of the pandemic caused by coronavirus disease 2019,” he said.

Police visibility operations and activities include foot and mobile patrols and checkpoints to deter all forms of criminality before, during and after elections.

Police units in Caraga are also instructed to coordinate with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Comelec, other agencies, and stakeholders for strategic planning related to the elections.

Caramat said they will still work on the neutralization of wanted persons and members of communist terrorist groups, dismantling of private armed groups, and confiscation of loose firearms to ensure they will not cause violence during the election period.

“Let us maximize all our assets and ensure that no election-related incidents will occur in the region,” he said in his directive. (PNA)