800 more cops to secure BSKE in Bangsamoro

MANILA, Philippines — At least 800 more police officers will be deployed in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region to secure the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataang elections (BSKE), according to the Philippine National Police.

PNP public information office chief Col. Jean Fajardo said that aside from the additional officers, Special Action Force commandos are now in the region to help secure the electoral exercises.

The deployment of additional forces was set to start yesterday or today.

“A total of 187,600 PNP officers will be deployed across the nation. Deployment will commence within the next few days, if not today,” Fajardo said yesterday.

The 800 additional personnel requested by the Bangsamoro police are included in the 187,600 for deployment.

Of the 800 officers, 300 will be dispatched immediately while the rest will follow as the elections draw near, Fajardo said.

She said the PNP has been training its officers to serve as members of the board of election inspectors (BEIs).

Approximately 4,400 officers underwent training to serve as BEIs in the BSKE on Oct. 30.

Of the 4,400 trained officers, more than half of them will be assigned in the Bangsamoro.

Citing data, Fajardo said that politically motivated and election-related incidents are rampant in some areas of Bangsamoro, which require deployment of additional police personnel.

The PNP is coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in securing the BSKE in the region.

Fajardo said police officers serving as BEIs at polling centers will not carry firearms. Officers serving outside the centers will be armed.

Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia will lead the BSKE command conference today, which will be conducted simultaneously with the send-off and turnover of resources and deputized personnel from the AFP, PNP and PCG.