- Police regional office finalize security plan for May 2025 elections
OVER 6,000 personnel from Police Regional Office (PRO) XI will be deployed starting Jan. 12 to serve in the 2025 Mid-Term Elections this coming May.
PRO XI spokesperson, Major Catherine Dela Rey, said, “For the election period, our security plan is ongoing. As of now, our deployable personnel will reach 6,009.”
She said they are awaiting data from the provinces to determine the number of advocacy groups who will volunteer their services during the election.
The PNP, Comelec, Coast Guard, Philippine Army, and other agencies will hold a coordinating conference on Thursday, Jan. 9, to finalize the security plan.
Dela Rey also said that since last year they already reassigned police officers with relatives running for the elections.
“We already gave notice last year; in the PNP, the reassignment is already regular. It is part of our work, and we definitely will ask authority or approval from the Comelec if we have an assignment and reassignment,” she added.
Moreover, the Philippine National Police will impose a nationwide gun ban beginning Jan. 12, the start of the election period for this year’s midterm polls. Law enforcers will conduct checkpoint operations in strategic locations as part of efforts to secure the polls.
As a general rule, only police officers, military, and members of government law enforcement agencies in complete uniform and while on official duty are allowed to carry firearms during the gun ban.
Dela Rey said those seeking exemptions need to apply for a permit from the Comelec.
Meanwhile, Atty. Gay Enumerables, assistant regional director of Comelec XI, said not all applications for exemptions will be approved. She said each individual will be assessed to determine if carrying a firearm would be instrumental to their direct safety.
