PNP preparing vs ‘guns, goons, gold, fake news’ ahead of May polls — Marbil

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday it will set up a program to address the threats of “guns, goons, gold,” as well as “fake news” for the 100 days before the May midterm polls.

“Guns, goons, and gold” refer to the violence and vote-buying issues during elections which usually involve loose firearms, private armed groups, and bribes.

In an ambush interview, PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil said that for this upcoming polls, the organization will consider cops and soldiers who are giving support to candidates as part of the goons.

“May dinagdag kami sa goons. Doon sinama na namin yung mga pulis na magiging political pati mga military that will be supporting [candidates] sa election,” Marbil said.

(We added something to the goons. There we have included the police and soldiers who will be political and will be supporting candidates in the elections.)

“Pinapaayos ko sa [Internal Affairs Service] yung mga pulis na mai-involve. They will not recover anymore,” he added.

(I directed the Internal Affairs Service to work on police officers who will be involved. They will not recover anymore.)

Fake news

Aside from this, Marbil said the PNP also added “fake news” as one of the threats that need to be addressed to secure the elections.

“Ang pinaka-worst na kailangan pa naming pagpreparahan ay yung misinformation. Dati kasi 3 Gs lang. Ngayon, 3 Gs and one F, fake news. Yun yung program namin” he said.

(The worst thing we still need to prepare for is misinformation. It used to be only 3 Gs. Now, 3 Gs and one F, fake news. That's our program.)

The election period started January 12 and Commission on Elections’ checkpoints have been set up.

The campaign period for senatorial candidates and party-list groups is set from February 11 to May 10, 2025. Meanwhile, the campaign period for candidates for House of Representatives and parliamentary, provincial, city and municipal elections will be from March 28 to May 10.

Election Day is on May 12, but overseas voters may cast their votes from April 13 to May 12, while local absentee voters may cast their votes from April 28 to 30. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

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