PNP intel group to monitor candidates with ‘history, potential to sow violence’

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar on Thursday ordered the Intelligence Group to check Eleksyon 2022 candidates with the "history" and the "potential" to sow violence. 

In a statement, the PNP said it will ensure honest, peaceful and orderly elections as it conducts its aggressive campaign against loose firearms and private armed groups nationwide.

“I also ordered our Intelligence Group to start the monitoring and background check on all the candidates who have the history, the potential and the means to sow violence as part of our aggressive efforts to ensure the honest and peaceful elections next year,” he said.

“We assure our kababayan that their Philippine National Police will do everything in its power to ensure that this entire democratic process will be protected,” he added.

Eleazar instructed all unit commanders to prepare election security plans in their areas as they expect that political rivalries will heat up at the local level after the filing of Certificate of Candidacy.

Citing its data, the PNP said that almost all the past election-related violence stemmed from intense political rivalries of candidates vying for local posts, which include clashes among the supporters.

Eleazar said the PNP is now reviewing and assessing the areas with a history of election-related violence. — BM, GMA News