MANILA, Philippines – At least 10 municipalities and three cities in Central Luzon have been placed under the Philippine National Police (PNP) Yellow Category ahead of the May elections, meaning these areas have recorded at least two election-related violent incidents in the past two elections.
To ensure safe, peaceful, and honest polls, Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) Director Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said around 10,000 police officers would be deployed across the region. Authorities are closely monitoring the Yellow Category areas to prevent any potential election-related violence.
As part of their security preparations, PRO3 has 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 the heightened security measures, Fajardo assured that there would be no changes in leadership within PRO3 before the elections. “Change in leadership might hamper the security program of the PNP prior to the election,” she said.
Fajardo shared these updates during 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.