4K police officers asked to serve as poll workers in Eleksyon 2025

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has requested at least 4,000 police personnel to serve as election registration board (ERB) members for Eleksyon 2025.

"Ang pinapahanda namin na bilang sa PNP na pwedeng magamit bilang special ERB members kung saka-sakaling hindi makapaglingkod ang mga guro as ERB members ay 4,000," said Garcia.

(We requested 4,000 PNP personnel to serve as ERB members.)

"Ang nai-prepare ng PNP ay mahigit 9,000. Ibig sabihin, doble sa kung ano ang nai-request ng Comelec," he added.

(The PNP readied 9,000, at least double of our request.)

According to Garcia, the PNP started the deployment of its officers after completing their training as specialized ERBs.

Guidelines for the deployment of the police personnel were also promulgated by the poll body.

In January, the Comelec said at least 7,000 PNP officers will be trained to serve as backup poll workers for the 2025 May polls, replacing teachers who may withdraw as ERB members. They underwent training from March 3 to March 31.

This is not the first time police officers have been deployed as election board members, said Garcia. In 2022, PNP personnel managed the voting process in 175 clustered precincts in Cotabato City due to security concerns. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

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