COMELEC, PNP, military ready for May 13 polls

PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Juanito Vaño (Photo by Jong Cadion)

PAGADIAN CITY – “We are 100% ready to secure the conduct of the May 13, 2013 midterm elections.”

This was declared by Philippine National Police (PNP) 9 Regional Director Chief Supt. Juanito Vaño in a press statement following the conduct of the 3rd Provincial Joint Security Coordinating Center (PJSCC) conference at Camp Abelon headquarters held here last Tuesday.

“In fact if the elections were held today, we could handle it,” Vaño assured the public.

Vaño said: “With the coordination that we are making with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Commission on Elections, Department of Education, Department of the Interior and Local Government and Department of Public Works and Highways, we can assure the public that we have safe and fair election on Monday.”

(From right) ZSPPO PD P/SSupt Thomas Abellar, PNP RD Chief

Supt. Juanito Vañio, Tabak Chief BGen. Daniel Lucero, Provincial

Election Supervisor Atty. Dinah Sapong and DepEd Schools

Division Superintendent Arturo Bayocot. (Photo by Jong Cadion)

“We have created joint security coordination centers so we can integrate our security measures for the election,” Vaño added.
Asked if the PNP has enough men to secure PCOS machines, as part of the agency’s drive to beef up security in specific areas, Vaño replied that some 151 men have been deployed in the province to address security problems.

Vaño said the AFP would also deploy troops in the areas to secure PCOS machines.
“With our combined strength, we can also provide security to the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) who will carry the ballots and accountable forms from the municipal halls to their respective polling precincts,” Vaño assured the public.

He said the PNP and military personnel will be in their proper uniforms during the Election Day.

“In case of any eventuality, we have the ‘quick reaction forces’ that are ready to respond to any emergencies,” Vaño reported.

With the presence of combined forces in polling places, Vaño expressed optimism that no major untoward incident can disrupt the May 13 polls.

DURING the 3rd Provincial Joint Security Coordinating Center

(PJSCC) conference conducted at Camp Abelon headquarters

held here last Tuesday. (Photo by Jong Cadion)

Attending the said conference was 1st Infantry Tabak Division Commander BGen. Daniel Lucero, all Municipal COPs headed by Zamboanga del Sur PNP Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Thomas Abellar, Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Dinah Sapong together with her municipal BEIs, DILG Provincial Director Abcede Asjali, and Schools Division Superintendent Arturo Bayocot. (FPG/GCC/PIA9-Pagadian City)