Cops take over as poll workers in Maguindanao del Norte town

Police officers have taken over as special electoral boards (SEBs) in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte following the protest of a political party on election day, Monday, the Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO BAR) said.

In a press briefing, PRO BAR spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel Jopy Ventura said a total of 312 cops serve as poll workers in Datu Odin Sinsuat.

"Kanina po, bago po ilabas 'yung election paraphernalias doon sa munisipyo po ng Datu Odin Sinsuat, nagkaroon po ng protesta itong mga supporters po ng [United Bangsamoro Justice Party]," Ventura said.

(Earlier, before the election paraphernalia was released in the municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat, there was a protest by supporters of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party.)

"Umabot po 'yan hanggang ngayong almost 10 o'clock. Nagkaroon po ng negotiation. At pinoprotesta na po ng isang vice mayoralty candidate is kung puwede daw po pulis daw po yung mag-act po as SEBs," he added.

(That lasted until almost 10 o'clock today. There was a negotiation. And a vice mayoralty candidate was protesting for police officers to act as SEBs.)

A total of 3,698 police personnel are on standby to serve as special electoral boards (SEBs) in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) for the May 2025 midterm elections on Monday.

Philippine National Police (PNP)spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo earlier said the Police Regional Office in BARMM cannot give details yet on the number of cops who are already on official duty as SEBs.

These trained police officers may serve in areas where teachers and other poll workers could not reach during the elections.

PNP Public Information Office operations chief Police Major Anthony France Ramos said 182,000 personnel have been deployed to secure the polls.

Moreover, a total of 37,817 personnel from other law enforcement agencies have also been deployed.

According to Ramos, the PNP remains in control of the situation despite reported delays in the operation of some polling precincts and violence in some regions. — VDV, GMA Integrated News

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