PNP spox says policemen enough to monitor poll hot spots

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday assured the public that there is enough number of policemen who would monitor at least 700 election hot spots.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Bernard Banac said the 192,000-strong police force would be aided by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in ensuring a peaceful midterm elections.

"Nakahanda ang buong hanay ng kapulisan. Sa ngayon, mayroon tayong 192,000-strong Philippine National Police at katulong natin diyan ang pwersa ng Armed Forces of the Philippines lalo na doon sa areas of grave concern, doon sa southern part sa Mindanao," Banac said.

"Nakahanda ang ating puwersa at sapat ang ating bilang upang tugunan ang seguridad nitong eleksyon na paparating," he added.

Earlier, PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde bared that police have identified a total of 701 hot spots.

Albayalde said these hot spots are categorized in three different levels: Yellow category or election areas of concern, Orange category or election areas of immediate concern and Red category or election areas of grave concern.

Police have identified 223 areas under Yellow category, 382 under Orange category and 94 under the Red category.

Banac said the number of the hot spots may still change as police continue to assess the areas.

"May proseso pong ginagawa... linggo-linggo ay inaassess, may validation ng mga lugar kung ito ay mapapabilang pa sa kinoconsider na areas of concern. Maaaring ito ay matanggal naman," he said.

"Hindi ibig sabihing ito'y umabot ng 701... ito'y initial assessment lamang. Maaaring ito'y bumaba sa susunod na linggo o maaari din namang tumaas depende sa progress," Banac added. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News