Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director Oscar Albayalde arrives at Tubod Central Elementary School to check polling precints for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOl) plebiscite, February 6, 2019. (Wilnard Bacelonia/PIA-ICCC)
TUBOD, Lanao del Norte -- After three incidents of explosions in three different towns here, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director Oscar Albayalde visited today a polling center here and met with Lanao del Norte PNP, officials of the Philippine Army, and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to discuss updates on security measures for the ongoing Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) Plebiscite in the province.
In a press briefing at Tubod Central Elementary School, Albayalde ordered the security forces to strengthen the checkpoints along major roads in the province.
He also assured that PNP does not allow armed MILF members to enter polling centers without proper authority from COMELEC.
"They can observe outside the polling centers provided that they will not intimidate the voters. They are not authorized to bear firearms or carry any deadly weapon. They are also not allowed to wear their uniforms or anything with markings labeling their units or group while observing. If they start intimidating people, they will be arrested," Albayalde said.
He added that both PNP and AFP comprising of almost 4,000 troops in Lanao del Norte are ready for any untoward incidents.
All security forces were also instructed by Albayalde to stay with the plebiscite committee in polling centers until they have brought the ballots to the canvassing area.
Lanao del Norte Provincial Election Officer Joseph Hamilton Cuevas (left) with PNP Chief Director Oscar Albayalde outside a polling precinct at Tubod Central Elementary School, Tubod, Lanao del Norte. (James Umaran/PIA-ICC)
Meanwhile, the PNP chief shared that they have already identified persons of interest involved in the recent explosions in the towns of Lala, Kauswagan, and Sultan Naga Dimaporo.
"The explosion incidents are still being investigated. We are reviewing the CCTV footages. They most probably belong to the same group but different persons," Albayalde said.
The official also assured that the augmentation forces will stay in their posts until the peace and order situation in the province returns to normal.
After the press briefing, Albayalde visited a polling precinct in Tubod Central Elementary School with Lanao del Norte Provincial Election Supervisor Joseph Hamilton Cuevas.
Since the start of voting this morning, PNP has not recorded any election-related incidents.
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1018123
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