PRO 7 On Heightened Alert As May 9 Election Nears

The Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 is now on heightened alert for the May 9 elections, an official said.

PRO 7 Director Chief Superintendent Patrocinio Comendador Jr. said the status will be further raised to full alert once the vote counting machines (VCMs) are distributed to different polling centers in the region.

Under a full alert, no personnel will be allowed to go on vacation, he said.

Comendador earlier said some 7,000 police and military personnel will be deployed in Central Visayas to secure the May 9 elections.

Comendador said he told Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Clifford Gairanod to place under surveillance places where criminal groups may be hiding.

Comendador said they are prepared for the elections.

Police are also monitoring armed groups to prevent politicians from using them to create turmoil or harass opponents.

Comendador said they did not receive reports of private armed groups.

“There is no permanent group,” he said. (PNA) LAP/EB/EDS