THE Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas has deployed 8,625 personnel to ensure a safe and secure May 13 elections in the region during the send-off ceremony Wednesday, May 8.

“The main guidance of our chief is to remain apolitical and non-partisan. Remember that our primary role in the upcoming elections is to provide strict security so as to deliver a safe, credible and honest elections,” said Eastern Visayas Police Director Dionardo Carlos.

“Let us not forget to conduct ourselves professionally, show competence in our assigned tasks and do what is right at all times,” added Carlos in a statement.

A total of 5,830 will take post at the voting centers and 2,795 for other election duties, said Police Lieutenant Colonel Ma Bella Rentuya, regional public information officer.

The personnel are expected to stay in their posts until their services are terminated by the Provincial Election Supervisors (PES), said Rentuaya.

Meanwhile, Carlos reminded the police personnel “to discharge their duties and responsibilities with due care.”

He also cautioned them not to be complacent at any time, and be mindful while on their respective posts.

Army Brigadier General Eliezer Lozañes, acting division commander of the 8th Infantry Division in the region, appealed to both voters and candidates to follow the guidelines set by the Commission on Elections for a violent-free midterm elections.

“If they resort to violence, we will not hesitate to strike them for their criminal acts and violations of laws,” said Carlos. (SunStar Philippines)