At least 800 uniformed personnel of the Philippine National Police will be deployed to voting centers and other areas during the run-up to the upcoming National and Local Elections (NLE) this May 12, 2025.
This was disclosed by PNP Provincial Director PCol. Eduardo D. Quijano during the special meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) last February 13, 2025 at the Governor’s Office Conference Room.
He told the PPOC chairperson Gov. Joseph Cua and the council members present that the 800 police officers will provide perimeter security to various areas, COMELEC offices and voting centers while the resy will man Police Assistance Desks (PADs), manage traffic, and conduct checkpoints and mobile patrols. Others will be assigned to Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) and covert groups.
A ranking officer of the Catanduanes Provincial Police Office clarified to the Tribune last weekend that the 800 personnel does not include personnel from other law enforcement agencies like the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), PNP force multipliers as well as elements of the Philippine Army (PA).
Representatives from these agencies and the Army likewise presented their own plans to ensure a safe, orderly and credible electoral process.
It was disclosed during the meeting that Catanduanes is under the “Green” category or is an Election Area of No Security Concern, indicating a peaceful environment with no major security threats.
The island province’s “Green” categorization is based on its being declared insurgency-free last December 2024 following the approval by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice Gov. Peter Cua of Resolution No. 547-2024 declaring the province in a state of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIP) Situation upon the recommendation of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC).
The measure noted that the provincial government, in collaboration with the municipal LGUs, has actively implemented programs and initiatives to address the root causes of insurgency and foster peace and development in the province while the people demonstrated unwavering support for peace and actively participated in community-based initiatives to prevent resurgence of CTG activities.
It cited the military’s Periodic Status Report on the Kilusang Larangang Gerilya 2 (KLG2), Sub-Regional Committee 2 (SRC2) indicating that as of the 2nd quarter of 2024, there are only four (4) remaining members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the island, including its leadership, and that these members are not active in Catanduanes.
The Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence of the Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Division also certified that the province is categorized as “cleared” and not included in the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) affected barangays under “Konsolidado, Kinokonsolida, Ekspansyon and Rekoberi (KKER) areas, particularly the Bicol Regional Party Committee.
Last October 2024, the Joint AFP-PNP Intelligence Coordinating Committee approved a declaring the province of Catanduanes as “free from Community Terrorist Group (CTG) Influence and Affectation,” with no recorded NPA-initiated violent incident, IED explosion and arson from CY 2022.
Last month, the Catanduanes police conducted a Tabletop Exercise on Contingency Planning for the forthcoming elections at Camp Francisco Camacho.
The CATPPO Command Group, provincial staff, chiefs of municipal police stations, force commanders of the two Mobile Force Companies, and representatives from the National Operations Support Unit, participated in the exercise, which is a crucial step in poll preparations.
During the exercise, the participants developed and refined plans to address potential incidents during election day, including the secure transport and delivery of election materials.
Among the vital topics discussed were planned courses of action for various scenarios, ensuring preparedness for a range of challenges. The plans will be further refined and adapted by lower units to address the unique needs of their respective areas of responsibility (AOR), PD Quijano stated.
He emphasized the importance of continuous monitoring and the conduct of RED Teaming Operations to identify and address potential weaknesses in the security plans.
He also stressed the need for strengthened collaboration with other agencies and stakeholders, including the maximum utilization of force multipliers, engagement of National Support Units and coordination with the provincial government and other concerned offices.