TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine National Police (PNP) in the region has been placed on full alert status ahead of the 2025 national and local elections scheduled for next Monday, May 12, with the entire force mobilized to ensure a safe and peaceful electoral process.
“Despite the challenges, our mission is clear: to safeguard the integrity of the elections. We must work together to guarantee safe, secure, and peaceful elections across the region,” said Police Regional Director Brigadier General Jay Cumigad in a statement on Saturday, May 3.
Cumigad also called on the public to remain vigilant and cooperative.
“We urge citizens to stay alert, work with authorities, and report any suspicious activities. This is part of our shared commitment to protecting the democratic process,” he added.
According to Major Analiza Armeza, officer-in-charge of the Regional Public Information Office, the full alert status suspends all leaves of absence for police personnel to maximize deployment across the region.
As part of the PNP’s intensified security operations, about 751 personnel under the Regional Special Operations Task Group were deployed to election “hotspots,” including Samar’s 1st District and Leyte’s 3rd and 4th Districts; tactical teams, also known as “Road Runners,” have been assigned to conduct mobile patrols and the Regional Standby Support Force (RSSF) from the regional headquarters has been stationed in Tacloban City and nearby areas in Leyte.
“These deployments aim to ensure a secure, accurate, free, and fair electoral process throughout Eastern Visayas,” said Armeza.
She added that Brig. Gen. Cumigad, together with members of the regional command group, has been conducting on-the-ground inspections of checkpoints to assess operational readiness and boost troop morale.
In a show of regional cooperation, PNP-Eastern Visayas also deployed a 101-member Special Electoral Board Contingent to Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) to support election security operations in areas deemed under special security concern.
(RONALD O. REYES)
