PNP starts getting ready for 2022 polls

May 29, 2019

The Philippine National Police (PNP) starts preparations for the 2022 national and local election.

"After the success of the 2019 midterm elections, the Philippine National Police is now preparing for the 2022 National and Local polls vowing to sustain its safety and fairness," Police Col. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesman, said Wednesday.

Banac said PNP Deputy Chief for Administration, Police Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, also commander of the Security Task Force 2019 Midterm Elections, stressed that the public "greatly appreciated the PNP's campaign against vote selling and buying, based on the post election assessment of the task force."

"We take this incident seriously which has been a practice for many years and immediately take actions to arrest these vote sellers and buyers," Gamboa said. Banac said Gamboa also noted that most of vote-buying and selling cases are now filed in the courts.

"Along with this unprecendeted effort, the PNP will also sustain and further implement the Oplan Baklas campaign against illegal or misplaced campaign posters and materials for the 2022 polls," he said.

Banac said Gamboa revealed the PNP's three-year preparation plan for the 2022 national and local elections.

He said these includes, no failure of elections; reduction if not totally prevent election-related incidents, and reduction of risk factors such as private-armed groups, loose firearms, criminal gangs, and terrorism.

Banac said "PNP Chief, Police General Oscar Albayalde noted that there will be an additional police equipment that would bolster police force in securing and ensuring fair and safe elections in 2022."

"The PNP will acquire additional 10 helicopters and 50 high speed water crafts within three years," he said.

"He mentioned also that part of the preparation is the selection of new roster of PNP officials who will take the helm of the Task Force as most of the present police generals and senior officers would be retired by 2022," he added. Robina Asido/DMS