PNP starts mounting security assistance desks outside poll centers

One week to go before the country’s first nationwide automated elections, the Philippine National Police started setting up security assistance desks outside polling precincts across the country. In a radio interview Monday, PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina reminded the police and military personnel manning the desks to maintain a 50-meter distance from the precincts. "Kung kakailanganin ng ating kababayan ng tulong in terms of security naroon sila, napakalapit. (Hindi sila papasok sa presinto) unless otherwise specifically requested in writing by the Comelec or their deputized agencies like the teachers kung kailangan ang aming tulong sa loob ng presinto (If voters need assistance and security, they will be there. They will not enter the polling precincts unless specifically requested in writing by the Commission on Elections or deputized agents such as teachers)," Espina told dwIZ radio.

He said the desks were to open as early as Monday, May 3. A separate report on dzXL radio said the personnel manning the desks will remain on duty until May 11. Espina said the 50-meter distance from the polling centers is to prevent police and military forces from being accused of poll irregularities. Police and soldiers in past elections had been accused of trying to intimidate voters or engaging in practices that seek to influence the outcome of the elections. Espina said each desk will have members of the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and will be positioned 50 meters away from the polling centers. He stressed those manning the desks will base their movements on instructions of the Comelec or its deputized authorities. "It should be in writing so everything will be transparent. Di kami gagalaw without any authority para klaro ang galaw ng pulis (Requests for our police and military elements to enter polling precincts should be in writing so everything will be transparent. We will not move without the proper authority)," he said. "Ang bottom line pangalagaan ang sanctity ng ballot (The bottom line is to guard the sanctity of the ballot). Elections are sacred and reflective of the will of the people, we have to thoroughly and seriously implement all security measures," he added. — RSJ, GMANews.TV