Central Visayas police force ready for October's barangay, SK elections – PRO-7 chief
CEBU CITY -- Preparations have started to ensure a ‘fair and peaceful’ Barangay and Sanggunian Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in October, the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO-7) announced on Friday, May 19.
After the Commission on Elections released the schedule of activities for the BSKE, the PRO) 7, in collaboration with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), immediately started to formulate its security plan, said Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, chief of PRO-7.
“This is to ensure that the community could exercise their right to choose their future leaders in a fair and peaceful manner,” said Aberin.
Aberin said that as early as April of this year, the PRO has already started its preparations by conducting an initial threat assessment to all incumbent government officials, lawyers, judges, and media personalities.
The assessment is meant to identify government officials and other significant personalities in the election who may have potential threats and to determine areas of concern that the police force should look into, Aberin added.
Aberin said the PRO-7 already has a list of the hotspots and areas of concern based on the previous elections.
“The process of making the Barangay and SK Elections safe and secured starts now and your PRO- 7 will ensure that all security issues will be sincerely considered appropriately and timely,” Aberin said.