Task Group-Cebu HOPE forces formally deployed

Members of the Cebu Provincial Police Office who are to maintain peace and order during the May 14 elections under Task Group Cebu-HOPE (Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections) were formally deployed in "areas of immediate concern" yesterday morning.

This developed as CPPO director Sr. Supt. Carmelo Valmoria ordered yesterday his personnel to be on alert in the run-up to the elections on Monday.

The sending off of the seven sub-task groups of Task Group Cebu-HOPE was two days ahead of the supposed nationwide simultaneous event scheduled tomorrow.

However, nothing specific was mentioned as to what triggered the early deployment yesterday. According to Valmoria, they were given free choice as to when to deploy the task groups.

In fact, only six of the seven sub-task groups were present at the official launching yesterday since the sub-task group for Bantayan Island was already deployed at the area last April 17.

The deployment has been scheduled to last only until the day after the elections, but can be extended depending on the situation.

Task Group Cebu-HOPE, which Valmoria heads, coordinates with another Task Group-HOPE headed by deputy regional director for operations Lani-O Nerez.

Moreover, Valmoria assures that sufficient number of personnel is deployed in different parts of the province and during political rallies.

He also pointed out that certain hotline numbers designated to each district task group are now active and open to the public. Vehicles deployed with the task groups bear the banners showing the hotline numbers. — Efmer Agustin /MEEV