CLOSE to 5,000 policemen were deployed by the Police Regional Office (PRO) in Central Luzon in all Commission on Elections (Comelec) offices in Central Luzon.
The move is aimed at ensuring public safety during the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for the 2019 mid-term elections.
Chief Superintendent Amador Corpus, director of the PRO-Central Luzon, said a total of 4,157 police personnel were tasked to provide security on Comelec offices during the entire week of COC filing which started October 11 until October 17.
During the period, candidates, together with their supporters, flock to local and provincial Comelec offices to file their COCs for the next year's polls.
Corpus said he instructed local police stations to establish Police Assistance Desks, as well as deploy personnel to assist in traffic and civil disturbance management.
"Our police force are focused on ensuring the security of the public with this activity as we aim for a zero incident from the first day of filing of COCs until the last day," Corpus said.
The police official urged candidates as well as supporters to refrain from engaging in any activities that would affect the peace and order of the community.