ISABELA Mayor Joselito Malabor has requested eight additional police to augment the existing police force in the town in preparation for the midterm elections on May 13.
Malabor said he already sent his request to Senior Superintendent Romeo Baleros, officer-in-charge of from Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo).
The additional personnel will ensure the maintenance of peace and order in the town, he said.
Isabela is among the areas in the province that is being monitored for the emerging intense political rivalry.
Though the town can possibly be categorized as an election watch list area due to previous election-related incidents, Malabor said assured his constituents of a peaceful election.
As this developed, Senior Inspector Roger Pama, town police chief, admitted there is an insufficient personnel in the town.
However, he said they were already directed by the provincial headquarters to present a deployment plan so they would be given additional police officers if it is really necessary.
Pama said the people and all the candidates committed to have a peaceful election this year. Thus, he is hoping that no significant incidents will happen in his area.
Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Edison Garcia, public information officer of Nocppo, said they will provide the request for augmentation if it is necessary.
“We are open about it and it will depend on our provincial director,” he added.
Last week, all the political candidates in the town signed a peace covenant for fair, honest, orderly, and credible elections.