PNP on heightened alert for local-level campaign

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has placed all its forces nationwide on heightened alert in connection with the start of the campaign period for local positions on Friday. Election-related violence is generally more rampant at the local level compared to the national level, according to PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Leonardo Espina. “So we have to be on guard and prevent violence from occurring at the local level, particularly in areas declared as immediate areas of concern," Espina said. He said they are leaving it to regional and provincial police commanders whether or not to put their forces on full alert status based on the situation in their respective areas. “We have different situation in different areas so it is already a call of the regional and provincial commander whether or not they would elevate it to full alert status," he said. Full alert status would require all policemen—including those who are on leave—to report to work in order to maintain the peace and order situation in their areas. The heightened alert will also cover the security measures for the Holy Week and the anniversary of the communist group New People’s Army (NPA) on March 29, Espina said. Topping the worries of the police force is the existence of private armed groups that are generally employed by political families. “The existence of [private armed groups] coupled with the proliferation of illegal firearms are the major factors that will significantly affect the security situation in the coming elections in May," said PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa. Police records show that there are 112 private armed groups composed of 4,040 members operating in the country. Twenty of these operate are in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Verzosa said legal and police actions are being launched against 60 armed groups that are believed to be working for politicians. He also ordered the PNP Directorate for Intelligence to oversee the reactivation of the special task groups to dismantle these groups. A total of 67 private army members have already been arrested by the PNP, according to Verzosa. This led to the confiscation of 82 firearms. - Aie Balagtas See/KBK, GMANews.TV