MANILA, Philippines – The Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) will deploy around 10,000 police officers across Central Luzon to ensure safe, peaceful, and honest elections this May, according to PRO3 Director Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo.
Fajardo said 10 municipalities and three cities in the region have been placed under the Philippine National Police (PNP) Yellow Category, meaning these areas recorded at least two election-related violent incidents in the past two elections. Authorities are monitoring these areas closely to prevent any disruptions in the upcoming polls.
In line with their security efforts, PRO3 has already confiscated 269 unlicensed firearms and arrested 271 individuals, mostly civilians, for illegal possession of firearms. Additionally, 200 protective security personnel assigned to local officials have been recalled to prevent any misuse of security resources during the election period.
Despite heightened security measures, Fajardo assured that there would be no leadership changes within PRO3 before the elections. She emphasized that any revamp could disrupt the security plans already in place. “Change in leadership might hamper the security program of the PNP prior to the election,” she said.
Fajardo shared these updates in a meeting with members of the Central Luzon Media Association Pampanga on Thursday, March 28, at the Prism Lounge, Widus Hotel inside the Clark Freeport Zone.