Sunday, October 07, 2007 Police to adopt plan it used in May polls
FOR this month’s synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) will adopt a similar security plan they implemented last May 14.
During the last elections, the CPPO created seven subtask groups for each district in the Province and for Bantayan Island to oversee security in polling precincts and canvassing areas.
Bantayan Island was placed under the control of the Commission on Elections due to intense political rivalry and persistent reports of the presence of armed men.
This time, however, CPPO Director Carmelo Valmoria plans to add another subtask group for Camotes Island.
In the last elections, Camotes Island was under the subtask group for the fifth district. But with uncertain weather conditions, Valmoria said it is better to create a separate subtask group for the island.
‘Accurate picture’
Until all candidates have filed their certificates of candidacy, he said they do not have “an accurate picture” if there will be intense political rivalry in the barangays, adding that most candidates wait until “the 11th hour” to file their certificates of candidacy . However, Valmoria said they are continuously assessing the situations.
He also plans to ask the Army, particularly the 78th Infantry Battalion, to augment the forces of the CPPO.
Polling places
He will be asking the Police Regional Office 7 for more personnel to secure the polling places, since the counting of votes will be held at the barangay level.
The CPPO has jurisdiction over 1,096 barangays.
It will focus on Cebu’s mid-north area classified as insurgent-affected.
While he does not believe the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army will ask candidates for this month’s elections for permit to campaign fees, he said it is possible the rebels will support their own candidates to retain their influence in these barangays. (MEA)
