More than 600 cops, army deployed to secure Samar polls

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar, May 7 (PNA) – At least 656 policemen and military will be deployed in Samar province to help secure the conduct of elections in the province.

Samar police provincial office spokesperson Supt. Jennifer Sumpo said the number of law enforcers is on top of the existing organic police force stationed in each cities and towns.

“They will serve as augmentation to local police to help ensure the safe conduct of elections.” Sumpo said.

"The areas where this augmentation will be deployed were chosen according to the exigency of police personnel,” she added.

At least 468 policemen and 183 military will be deployed to different areas in the province.

They will be deployed to Calbayog City, Matuguinao, San Jorge, Sta. Margarita, Gandara, 

HInabangan, Jiabong, Basey, Daram, Pinabacdao, San Jose de Buan, and Motiong.

“These areas were chosen according to its coverage, number of polling precincts and history of similarly election related incidents.” Sumpo said.

Samar was declared as area of concern by the PNP in relation to upcoming elections due to presence of private armed groups (PAGs) and recent incidents allegedly perpetuated by PAGs.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Election Monitoring Action Center (PEMAC) was already activated since May 3.

The PEMAC, which is based in Camp Lukban, Maulong, Catbalogan City, will assist and respond in case there will be any eventualities during the elections.

Samar Election Supervisor Juan Bautista Beato Jr. said that they will give attention to Calbayog City area and neighboring towns.

But as of this time, they are treating all areas equal due to potential election related occurrence that might happen.

“The preparation is for the whole province, but there are municipalities that we are closely looking into specifically Calbayog.” Beato said.

Series of shooting incidents allegedly perpetuated by private armed groups and being linked to politics happened in the city for the past months.

But the police maintained its statement that personal grudge and not politics as the motive behind the killings.

Samar province, comprised of two cities and 24 towns has 490,421 registered voters.

Calbayog City has the biggest number of voters at 110,028 followed by Catbalogan City at 60,033. It has a total of 1,165 clustered precincts. (PNA)

ZST/SQM/JENNIFER S. ALLEGADO/EGR