MORE than 200 policemen were sent to Samar Island to help keep peace and order in the run-up to the May 9 national and local elections.
Police Regional Office 8 director Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said the PRO8 Samar Peacekeeping Mission is composed of 235 policemen who have just finished their Basic Internal Security Operations Course at the BISOC training site in Bgy. Rizal II in Babatngon, Leyte.
According to Banac, the PRO8 men will be stationed in the CAGASMAS (Calbayog, Gandara, Sta. Margarita, Matuguinao and San Jorge) areas and will be part of the Regional Special Operations Task Group-Samar purposely for peacekeeping mission.
“This send-off ceremony is a fitting testimony of our aspiration for a successful conduct of the national and local elections, following the instructions of Philippine National Police chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos to level up the preparations for a SAFE 2022 polls,” Banac said.
The official also called on his troops to render their election duties and responsibilities with diligence, especially where their services are much needed.
Last month, Banac activated the PRO8 RSOTG as part of their security measures in the forthcoming national and local polls.
“I know that it is everyone’s wish to have a safe and peaceful National and Local Elections 2022. However, we in the police force cannot do it alone,” the Eastern Visayas police director said.
Western Samar has been previously identified as among the top election-watchlist areas in the country.
The presence of New People’s Army rebels, as well as private armed groups, is among the major threats to the election being considered by security troops in the area.
