To avoid any poll-related violence
TACLOBAN CITY – With concerns of possible election-related violence, the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the region has intensified security measures in Leyte’s 3rd and 4th congressional districts, deploying additional personnel ahead of the May 12 national and local elections.
On Monday, May 5, the PNP Regional Office deployed 237 personnel across the region to bolster local police forces, secure polling centers, and maintain order during the elections. A significant portion of these reinforcements—104 personnel—were sent to Leyte, with particular focus on its 3rd and 4th districts, which have been flagged as areas of concern.
Brig. Gen. Jay Cumigad, regional police director, said that while the entire region is under watch, the situation in parts of western Leyte demands heightened attention.
“These districts have been classified based on the likelihood of election-related violence. We have increased our security complement in those areas accordingly,” Cumigad said in a press briefing.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has placed Palompon and Albuera (4th district) and Villaba (3rd district) under the yellow category, which indicates a history of political unrest.
Meanwhile, the towns of Leyte, Calubian, San Isidro, and Tabango in the 3rd district are under the more serious orange category, signaling the presence of armed groups that may attempt to influence the polls.
The concern has grown following a recent slay attempt on Rolan “Kerwin” Espina, a controversial figure and self-confessed drug personality now running for mayor of Albuera—a town under close scrutiny due to its volatile political climate.
To address these risks, the PNP has set up election command centers in critical areas, deployed radio communication systems in far-flung communities with poor signal reception, and installed CCTV cameras in strategic locations for better surveillance.
In addition to the deployed field units, 127 personnel from the Regional Reactionary Standby Support Force (RRSSF) remain on standby, ready for rapid deployment in case of emergencies or unrest in any part of the region.
“We are on full alert. All leaves are cancelled and personnel are in place until the conclusion of the electoral exercise,” Cumigad said.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to ensuring peaceful, honest, and credible elections, particularly in areas historically prone to political violence.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
