PNP says 2 Lanao Norte towns now under Comelec control

The Philippine National Police said Sunday that two towns in Lanao del Norte are the latest additions to areas placed under the Commissions on Elections' control.

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, PNP Chief Police General Dionardo Carlos said the two Lanao del Norte towns are now added in the list of 105 towns and 15 cities tagged as election areas of concern under the highest "red category."

“Ang latest ‘yung dalawang lugar sa Lanao del Norte na inilagay sa Comelec control. Dalawang bayan. Under na po ng Comelec, we’re preparing all the security forces needed in these areas. So may movement kami ng replacement ng personnel para ma-maintain ‘yung ating pagkakaron ng balance at saka non-partisan stand ng ating mga PNP,” he said.

(The latest are the two towns in Lanao del Norte that have been placed under Comelec control. We’re preparing all the security forces needed in these areas. So we have a movement of personnel replacement to maintain our balance and non-partisanship in these areas.)

Comelec Resolution No. 10481 states that when “the peace and order situation in the area will affect the conduct of elections, the Comelec En Banc may place any political division, subdivision, unit, or area affected under its immediate and direct control and supervision.”

The imposition of the Comelec control includes immediate and direct control and supervision over national and local officials and employees, and full control and supervision over all national and local law enforcement agencies.

Carlos further pointed out that the PNP has already deployed a regional special operations task group in the 115 areas that may be possibly labeled as election areas of concern, subject to the validation of the poll body.

He also said that the number of active private armed groups (PAGs) that may possibly disrupt the elections has been reduced to two,  both of them are in Mindanao.

Despite this, Carlos assured the public that the PNP is ready for the May 9 polls.

“Okay na po ‘yung preparations. Now we’re just going to monitor, supervise, and give directions to the line units sa mga specific na nangyayari from now hanggang Election Day. Ready na po kami, nakita ko ‘yung mga preparations. Ang amin pong ginagawa ngayon ay aming practicing and preparations for any contingency after May 9,” he said.

(The preparations are okay. Right now, we’re just going to monitor, supervise, and give directions to the line units on the specifics happening from now until Election Day. We are ready, I saw the preparations already. What we are doing now is practicing and preparing for any contingency after May 9.) —LBG, GMA News