PNP to beef up security for polls

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang yesterday assured the public the Philippine National Police (PNP) would address election-related incidents by beefing up security and intensifying operations.

Barely a week to go before the elections, the PNP has noted an increase in election-related violence.

Even with the increasing number of incidents, the PNP has been making headway in maintaining peace and order in this election season compared to previous ones, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III said.

“That’s a very good point,” he said.

Quezon said the Department of the Interior and Local Government has implemented “Oplan Katok” to check on firearms licenses and prevent the proliferation of loose firearms.

Even without figures or scientific data, Quezon also said bank robberies, kidnappings and other heinous crimes that could be associated with elections were not prevalent at this time.

“I think that’s a sign that no news is good news... it shows the PNP’s moves are really more effective now,” Quezon said.

However, unidentified men bombed another school building in Sultan Mastura in Maguindanao late Friday.

The latest bombing attack occurred two days after six classrooms in six different schools in the town were attacked with grenade launchers.

No one was reported killed or injured in the attacks as authorities are looking into identifying the suspects.

Local officials said the gunmen shot the school buildings with automatic gunfire as they fled.

Sultan Mastura town police chief Senior Inspector Wendylyn Banico said there are indications the attacks were politically motivated.