Around 800 cops deployed for special elections in Lanao del Sur areas — PNP spox

The Philippine National Police on Wednesday said around 800 cops have been deployed to the southern Philippine province of Lanao del Sur to secure the conduct of special elections in 14 barangays there.

“Meron na tayong kapulisan at kasunduan na nakalatag po doon. More or less, mga around 800 na mahigit po ang ating personnel na tututok doon sa gagawing special elections diyan sa probinsya ng Lanao del Sur,” PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said at a press conference.

(We already have police and military personnel in the area. More or less 800 PNP personnel will watch over the conduct of special elections in Lanao del Sur province.)

Fajardo said the special elections will be held in 12 barangays in Tubaran on May 24. She said the police organization is still waiting for the resolution from the Commission on Election for the schedule.

Acting poll spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the situation in Tuburan had been “contained” after 12 barangays reported violence, threats, and intimidation

These barangays are Tangcal, Datumanong, Guiarong, Baguiangun, Wago, Malaganding, Gadongan, Riantaran, Pagalamatan, Mindamunag, Paigoday-pimbataan, and Metadicop.

Aside from the 12 Tubaran barangays, the Comelec also declared failure of elections in one barangay each in Butig and Binidayan.

Comelec Commissioner George Garcia earlier said the poll body has to ensure first the security in these areas before holding the special elections. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News