Despite election-related violence, PNoy 'satisfied' with security prep for polls

President Benigno Aquino III is "satisfied" with the way the police and the military are preparing for the upcoming midterm polls despite reported incidents of election-related violence in the country, his spokesperson said Wednesday. Aquino met with officials from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in a command conference in Malacañang on Wednesday afternoon to get a "comprehensive briefing" on the steps being taken by security officials to ensure peaceful polls on Monday. "The President expressed satisfaction with the preparations and commitment of all concerned to ensure that polls are undertaken in a manner that inspires confidence and public satisfaction," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a text message. She added that the security cluster of the Cabinet, composed of the executive secretary and the secretaries of national defense, foreign affairs and justice, were also present during the command conference. On Tuesday, the PNP reported that 58 cases of election-related violence were recorded from January 13 to May 5 this year. In total, 35 people have been killed and 34 were wounded in these incidents. — BM, GMA News