THE Philippine National Police (PNP) will go all out when it comes to loose firearms and private armed groups, especially with the looming election season.
“I am directing all police offices and units nationwide to intensify operations against private armed groups and loose firearms. Hindi lamang Mindanao ang ating tututukan kungdi lahat na ng lugar sa bansa,” PNP Chief, Police General Guillermo Eleazar, said.
“Papalapit na ang eleksyon at alam naman natin na may ilang pulitiko na gumagamit ng private armed groups para sa pansarili nilang mga interes, partikular ang maipanalo ang kanilang kandidatura gamit ang dahas. We will not allow that,” he added.
Over 130 armed groups are being monitored in Mindanao alone by authorities, according to the National Task Force on the Disbandment of PAGs (NTF-DPAGs), chaired by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Ano.
PGen. Eleazar said the PNP wants to ensure credible, orderly and peaceful elections in 2022.
The PNP Chief called on local police offices to intensify their intelligence gathering measures to keep a close eye on all potential private armed groups as well as syndicates involved in gunrunning activities.
“Dapat tiyakin ng PNP na walang magaganap na aberya o kaguluhan sa bawat bahagi ng halalan, mula sa filing ng candidacy hanggang sa deklarasyon ng mga nanalong kandidato,” he added.
PGen Eleazar assured that, as early as now, the PNP is already polishing its security measures for the coming elections.