CPPO: Security preps for May polls in place

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) has assured that the security measures for the 2022 elections are in place and have been continuously being looked after.

In an interview, CPPO Director Engelbert Soriano said that in the past days, they established constant coordination with the Aviation Security Unit 5 to monitor the political aspirants that will be coming in to hold campaigns.

Last February 9, the campaign for the national positions had started.

According to the Commission on Elections, Cebu Island has registered 3.2 million voters while a total of five million for the whole Central Visayas region.

It is expected that national candidates will definitely do campaigns in Cebu that might compromise the health protocols considering the number of registered voter population.

“We are in close coordination with the Aviation Security Unit 5 at lahat ng pumapasok na candidates, incumbent, or otherwise, ay namo-monitor namin yung pasok nila, we also get in touch with their staff to remind them with the protocols,” said Soriano.

Further, Soriano also said they have been going around COMELEC warehouses for a survey and inspection to determine its security requirements that they will be implementing later on.

“Although bawal naman kami dyan pumasok dyan lang kami sa immediate premises nya, nag-conduct na rin kami ng security survey sa lahat ng polling centers na gagamitin,” he said.

Soriano also said they haven’t arrived on the stage yet and that they have monitored any posting of political posters on prohibited areas.

He added they are just waiting for the COMELEC’s go signal to implement the removal of these materials, clearly violating the guidelines.

“And again we are coordinating with the provincial government and local government units para doon sa galaw ng transport ng paraphernalia later on,” he also said.

Safe elections

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) also launched the SAFE (Secure, Accurate, Free, and Fair National Local Elections) campaign with a candle lighting ceremony and signing of a pledge of commitment early Tuesday morning, February 15, 2022.

Lt. Colonel Maria Theresa Macatangay, information officer at CCPO, said this was participated with different sectors of the community to formally publicize their commitment for a peaceful election.

“So that is our way of saying to the public even though we’ve been doing it every day since the kick-off of the national campaign, we will guarantee them with that (SAFE Elections),” said Macatangay. — GMR (FREEMAN)