PNP ordered: Prepare for political rivalries in local elections

Police prepare to enforce the granular lockdown in Barangay 351, Sta. Cruz, Manila before dawn in this March 2021 photo

The STAR / file

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police ordered all its unit commanders Thursday to start mapping out election security plans in their areas of responsibility with political rivalries expected to heat up on the local level approaching the final stretch of the filing of certificates of candidacy period.

“Now that it is clear who will be fighting, especially for local elective positions, we are expecting heated political rivalries that could lead to violence, so I have instructed our unit commanders to start preparing to make sure there will be no chaos in their respective areas of responsibility,” said Police Gen. Guillermo Eleazar.

Citing police data, the PNP chief said in a statement sent to reporters 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 the supporters. 

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/10/07/2132442/pnp-ordered-prepare-political-rivalries-local-elections