19,800 cops, soldiers to secure Metro Manila polls

MANILA, Philippines - A total of 19,800 police and military personnel will be deployed in 729 polling centers in Metro Manila to ensure peaceful and orderly elections on May 9, a police official said yesterday.

Four policemen, augmented by military personnel, will be deployed in every polling precinct to prevent election-related violence, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Joel Pagdilao said.

A send-off cere-mony was held yesterday at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig for around 2,700 police and military personnel who will be dispatched to the five police districts in Metro Manila for election duties.

The Joint Task Force of the National Capital Region is composed of the NCRPO, Special Action Force and Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Pagdilao assured the public that the policemen and military officers are ready to secure the elections.