PNP 8 intensifying preparation for the 2019 election

During the meeting of the Association of Government Information Officers in Region 8 (AGIO-8) at the LMWD Office in Tingib, Pastrana, Leyte, PNP Regional Information Officer Bella D. Rentuaya said some proactive security measures are already implemented regionwide, while other interventions are now properly planned in efforts to prevent and suppress crimes and other forms of violence, thereby ensuring a safe, fair and peaceful elections throughout the region.

Rentuaya said that aside from the gun ban now being implemented, the PNP has also identified areas of concerns in the region.

“Though the police office has not identified election hotspots in the Eastern Visayas region, still there are areas identified that need special concerns,” Rentuaya said.  

She added that as part of the preparations, the PNP has established a Regional Special Operations Task Group (RSOTG) which will be headed by the Deputy Director for Operations, PSSupt. Rolando Miranda.

“This will be stationed in Calbayog City together with some 60 members of the Special Action Force (SAF),” she said.

Rentuaya added that the PNP has activated a total of 150 Election Monitoring Action Centers regionwide which will be called Regional Monitoring Action Center, Provincial Monitoring Action Center and Municipal Monitoring Action Center for the region, province and municipality, respectively.

The lady Information Officer informed that a Joint Inter-Agency Coordinating Center or JIACC was recently inaugurated which will serve as a venue to monitor election-related activities, not only by the PNP, but also by other agencies involved.

“The JIACC will also serve as a common source of data not only on election matters, but also on disaster-related concerns,” she said.

“With the said security preparations, peace and order concerns are expected to be effectively and efficiently addressed by the police regional office and its subordinate units. However, the PNP assured that even with the onset of election period, its office does not suspend regular operations. Other anti-criminality campaigns continue.

Source: PIA