CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Pampanga Police Provincial Office (PPO) led by Police Provincial Director Joel R. Consulta vowed to intensify its peace and order measures in the onset of the election period starting today, April 14.
Police Superintendent Levy Hope Basilio, PPO Chief of Operations, said that there will be a maximum deployment of police forces to accommodate the peace and order needs during the election period. He added that they will also suspend the leaves and schooling of the personnel to fully serve their election duties.
“We will also be monitoring continuously all of the criminal gangs and suspects in addition to our upholding of the election gun ban,” he added.
Police Senior Superintendent Consulta said that they already started establishing checkpoints to apprehend violators of the election gun ban situated within the strategic points in the whole province.
“Those who are exempted in the election gun ban are the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and other law enforcement agencies. Those are the only ones who are exempted. Even if you have Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR), you are still not allowed to carry your firearms outside of the residence,” he said.
He also said that around 1,102 personnel will be deployed to 501 polling centers, which means that there will be two police force per polling precincts. There will also be quick response teams in each station who will respond to any incidents reported.
He then laid his message for the criminals who are planning to commit crimes during the election period.
“For the lawless individuals, I warn you. If you even think of disrupting the peace and order within the province, you will surely be apprehended. We will be stricter in implementing the law here in Pampanga,” he added. –PHILIP OCAMPO/PIO PAMPANGA