Mabalacat police ready for cityhood referendum

MABALACAT -- The town police has finalized security plans for the incoming cityhood referendum on Saturday.

Superintendent Rodney Raymond Louie Baloyo IV, town police chief, said the local police have sufficient number of personnel to secure the plebiscite.

Baloyo said the town police was able to get an augmentation of 30 policemen from the Regional Public Safety Batallion from Camp Olivas, 20 on the job trainees from the Police Regional Training Center in Magalang town, and 15 from the provincial police office.

These augmentation personnel will add up to the regular police officers here, Baloyo added.

Aside from this, there are also unified non-government organizations (NGOs) or “force multipliers” will assist policemen during the referendum.

“We are now ready for the referendum in terms of security and other assistance we may provide during the counting and transportation of the ballots,” Baloyo said.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) had a coordinating conference with the town police regarding the gun ban which took effect last June 28.

Baloyo said they are conducting search at checkpoints to prevent individuals from carrying firearms during the election period, which will last until July 26.

At least three quick reaction teams were formed to look over areas of concern, including big and far barangays, Baloyo said.

There will be 35 polling places around the municipality and two policemen will be assigned for each of the precinct during the election day.

As of Monday, there were no untoward incidents and no violation of the gun ban was reported.

“We are continuously communicating with the Comelec officials to ensure a peaceful orderly referendum,” Baloyo said.