PNP spox: Security forces to remain in 14 Lanao Sur barangays amid failure of elections

The Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines will maintain their respective deployment in 14 barangays in Lanao del Sur where  failure of elections has been declared, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said Thursday.

At the Laging Handa public briefing, Fajardo said the PNP also did not pull out the cops who have been designated as special board of election inspectors in those areas.

“Patuloy pa rin po yung ating deployment diyan ng PNP at AFP para masigurado nga po na mananatiling peaceful yung election po dyan,” she said.

(The deployment of the PNP and AFP still continues there to ensure that the elections there would remain peaceful.)

On Wednesday, the Commission on Elections declared failure of elections in 14 barangays in Lanao del Sur.

Deputy Director Executive for Operations Teopisto Elnas Jr.  requested for a conduct of special elections in the barangays located in Tubaran, Binidayan, and Butig, Lanao del Sur.

Elnas recommended holding special elections in at least 12 barangays in Tubaran on May 12, while one barangay each in Butig and Binidayan on May 15.

Violence, threats, and intimidation were reported in those areas. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News