Heavily armed strike forces guard poll machines in Metro

Heavily armed strike forces were deployed to key areas in Metro Manila Wednesday to secure the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines and other paraphernalia to be used in the May 10 polls. Radio dzBB’s Nimfa Ravelo reported early Wednesday that the strike forces in full battle gear had tracking devices on their vehicles for use in the transport. Metro Manila police chief Director Roberto Rosales said they would coordinate with the Armed Forces of the Philippines in transporting and securing the paraphernalia. Metro Manila cops were to start the transport of election paraphernalia, including the PCOS machines, to some 743 polling precincts in the metropolis. Rosales said he ordered his men to keep track of the election paraphernalia at all times during the transport. Earlier, a report on dzXL radio said the NCRPO expects to transport some 7,555 PCOS machines and 6.13 million ballots to the precincts in Metro Manila. He added the Metro Manila police’s Strike Force and Regional Public Safety Management Battalion will form the security convoy team. Police in Metro Manila cities were also ordered to deploy tactical teams in key routes. — LBG, GMANews.TV