MANILA, Philippines – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar on Thursday ordered all unit commanders to be on alert for local political rivalries in their respective areas of responsibilities that may heat up after the filing of certificate of candidacy (COC).
“Ngayong nagkakaroon na ng linaw kung sinu-sino ang maglalaban-laban lalo na sa mga local elective position, inaasahan na natin ang mainitang political rivalries na posibleng mauwi sa karahasan. Kaya inatasan ko na ang ating mga unit commanders na umpisahan na ang paghahanda upang tiyaking walang kaguluhang mangyayari sa kani-kanilang area of responsibility,” Eleazar said in a statement.
PNP data revealed that almost all the election-related violence in the past stemmed from intense political rivalries of candidates vying for local posts, which include clashes among their supporters.
Eleazar said the PNP is currently reviewing and assessing the areas with history of election-related violence.
“I also ordered our Intelligence Group to start the monitoring and background check on all the candidates who have the history, the potential and the means to sow violence as part of our aggressive efforts to ensure the honest and peaceful elections next year,” he said.
“We assure our kababayan that their Philippine National Police will do everything in its power to ensure that this entire democratic process will be protected,” he added.
Eleazar earlier ordered his personnel to intensify campaign against loose firearms and private armed groups to ensure honest, peaceful and orderly elections in May 2022.
Meanwhile, the PNP said that the past six days of the filing of COCs and Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONAs) have remained generally peaceful.
Eleazar reiterated his call on political aspirants to discourage their supporters from accompanying them or gathering outside COMELEC offices and other venues to avoid creating super spreader events.
The period for the filing of COCs and CONAs will close on Friday, October 8.
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