‘All systems go for BSKE in Quezon City’

MANILA, Philippines — At least 6,000 security forces and force multipliers will secure the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) in Quezon City, police announced yesterday.

Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, director of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), said measures are in place to secure 107 polling centers in the city.

“Yes, 100 percent all systems go na kami for the BSKE,” he said at a news briefing at Camp Karingal.

A week before the elections on Oct. 30, Maranan said they would deploy at least 900 police officers, with the number expected to increase as election day approaches.

Personnel from the Joint Task Force National Capital Region and other government agencies as well as from the local government will be fielded on election day.

Maranan yesterday led the distribution of 179 body-worn cameras  to QCPD personnel who will secure the voting centers.

The body cameras, donated by the city government under Mayor Joy Belmonte, will augment the 200 body cameras from the Philippine National Police.

Maranan thanked Belmonte for providing the city police body cameras and other logistical equipment.

The body cameras will ensure that every action taken by police during the election is recorded, he said.

The QCPD also launched its Task Force District Anti-Crime Reaction Team to prevent crime, as well as maintain peace and order during the conduct of the elections.

Maranan said the team, led by Deputy Director for operations Col. Josefino Ligan, is composed of motorcycle-riding officers.

The team is equipped with 22 motorcycles, body vests, body cameras, tactical helmets and handheld radios.

Maranan said they are conducting a threat assessment on the 6,002 candidates, including barangay captains, to determine who among them have threats to their safety.

At least 50 wanted persons were arrested and 20 loose firearms were seized in Quezon City from Sept. 10 to 12.