Around 33,000 policemen are expected to vote in the local absentee voting (LAV) ahead of the May 12 midterm polls, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil cast his vote at the opening of the LAV in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Monday, as he emphasized the significance of exercising the right to suffrage even among law enforcers.
“We are not just enforcers of democracy — we are part of it. Voting is not only our right; it is our duty, and one way we show our love for our country,” said Marbil.
Marbil assured the public of the PNP’s full readiness to secure the upcoming polls, stressing that personnel, mobility assets, and logistical resources are already in place.
The LAV, which runs until Wednesday, allows police officers, soldiers, media workers, and other frontline government workers who would render election day duties to vote ahead of time, ensuring their participation in the democratic process.
“We are ready to ensure that every Filipino can vote in safety and peace. We will intensify checkpoints, chokepoints, and patrol operations to prevent any disruptions. Our job is to preserve the sanctity of the election process, and we will not allow anything to compromise that,” Marbil said.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has tapped police officers to secure the elections nationwide through conduct of checkpoints, law enforcement operations against loose guns, private armed groups and vote-buying.
Some police personnel were also trained to do election duties in case of worst-case scenarios where some election workers fail to report for duty due to threats and security situations.
As of the latest monitoring and security assessment, a total of 34 areas across the country are under the red category in terms of election threats.
Marbil assured the public of the PNP’s full readiness to secure the upcoming polls as he stressed that personnel, mobility assets, and logistical resources are already in place.
“The PNP reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding the people’s will and upholding democracy as the nation moves closer to election day,” said Marbil.
The PNP also pledged support for the Comelec’s anti-vote buying initiative, particularly the Committee on Kontra Bigay (CKB), and urged the public to remain vigilant against vote-buying and vote-selling.
Exercise right to suffrage, Army soldiers told
The Philippine Army (PA), meanwhile, said some 15,842 soldiers are expected to cast their ballots during the LAV at the Army headquarters at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City and other major camps nationwide.
PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala, in a statement, also reminded soldiers to remain non-partisan.
The Comelec has approved a total of 57,689 LAV voters, including 29,030 Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel, 23,448 policemen, 4,206 government employees and 1,005 members of the media.
“Our role right now in the Army is to prepare the troops and our units in supporting the PNP and the Comelec in this endeavor,” PA chief Lt. Gen Roy Galido said.
“All of us are committed because we want this democratic exercise [to be] successful. The whole Army is closely coordinating with concerned government agencies to make this election a success.”
The Army also assured the public of its commitment to non-partisanship and professionalism as it focuses on its mandate of safeguarding national security and maintaining stability, especially during the election period. (with Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
