by Miriam G. Desacada
Tacloban City–The Police Regional Office-Region 8 (PRO-8) announced, through its Regional Public Information Office, its full readiness in securing the conduct of the Barangay-Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) across Eastern Visayas this Monday (October 30).
This came after PRO-8 officially launched its Media Action Center (MAC), which will serve as the vital link of information from the public information officers (PIOs) and stakeholders in tandem with the media partners for the gathering and dissemination of news and election information all through the day of the elections.
The MAC is eyed also to serve as a bridge of delivery of information from the police to the public on any matter and security details relative to the conduct of the BSKE.
To this date, police data on the election period, there have been three election-related incidents so far recorded in the entire region, 135 persons arrested for violation of the Omnibus Election Code, 393 contrabands and 93 deadly weapons seized, while 31 firearms were surrendered to the authorities.
PRO-8 had assured the public the implementation of a 24-hour police patrol until election day, and the posting of standby police personnel and quick reaction teams in every command post around every province of Eastern Visayas.
The PRO-8 forces are also in peak readiness to secure every polling precincts in the region to ensure the smooth delivery of election paraphernalias to these areas for a peaceful conduct of the elections. They said they will be conducting inspections and monitoring of these places until the polling places are opened for voting.
Meanwhile, the Ormoc City Police Office reported that, since the election period’s liquor ban started until midnight of October 29, it arrested a total of 58 persons caught violating the ban.
Police/Colonel Nelvin Ricohermoso is the city director of the OCPO, which is one of the Comelec-deputized agencies implementing the liquor ban.
Comelec Resolution 10924 (Liquor Ban) states: “It shall be unlawful for any person, including owners and managers of hotels, resorts, restaurants, and other establishments of the same nature to sell, furnish, offer, buy, serve, or take intoxicating liquor anywhere in the Philippines.”
It further states that “the liquor ban shall be in force and effect on the day before the election and on election day,” following its primary objective of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process, and preventing violent incidents, vote-buying, and actions under the influence of alcohol. —-Miriam G. Desacada