PNP starts preparations for 2025 polls

PREPARATIONS to ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of the 2025 midterm elections have begun, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday.

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil emphasized the importance of ensuring peaceful and secure elections. The campaign will focus on loose firearms, illegal drugs and private armed groups (PAGs), as these could disrupt the polls.

«Our commitment is to safeguard the democratic process and ensure that the upcoming elections are conducted in a secure environment. By cracking down on illegal firearms, drug syndicates, and armed groups, we aim to protect our citizens and uphold the rule of law,» Marbil said.

PNP chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

He urged the public to support the PNP's efforts by reporting illegal activities to authorities.

He said the PNP would actively work with local government units (LGUs) and other law enforcement agencies and conduct operations in so-called election hotspots.

The PNP heightened its anti-illegal drug operations through enhanced coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) along with community-based rehabilitation.

Advertisement

It will deploy additional resources and personnel to identify election areas of concern.

Marbil told The Manila Times that 85 percent of the police force will be deployed in the upcoming midterm elections.

«We always aim for peaceful elections. If the previous election was peaceful, that is because we deployed 85 percent of our police force in the field for police visibility,» he said in an interview.

«We will ensure the midterm election is safe as we learned a lot from the previous election,» he added.

Advertisement

To fortify its operational guidelines, Marbil ordered increased checkpoints and patrols in critical areas and heightened intelligence operations against PAGs and the proliferation of illegal drugs.

He also ordered the Civil Security Group and Firearms and Explosive Office to conduct stricter measures on loose firearms in high-risk areas.

Doubts about Miru system

Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections' (Comelec) preparations for the polls hit a snag when a former lawmaker questioned the contract with