PNP pulls out forces deployed for ARMM polls

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) had pulled out the additional forces it deployed in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) following the peaceful conduct of the elections there. PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Nicanor Bartolome said the pullout was completed Wednesday afternoon with the return of the contingents from the Western Mindanao Regional Police to their mother unit. “As far as the contingents that augmented the ARMM they have started to pull out from the area and return to their respective regions,” he said. Bartolome said the estimated 7,000 cops sent to augment the existing police personnel in ARMM came from Northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao, Central Mindanao and the CARAGA Region. PNP chief Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon Jr commended the cops who were deployed in the ARMM for the peaceful conduct of the elections in the region. Aside from the 7,000 policemen, the military has sent 10,000 of its troops as back-up force for the PNP. - GMANews.TV