UP to 36,000 police officers will be deployed to maintain peace and order during the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the May 2025 midterm polls from October 1 to 8, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
During a press conference held at Camp Crame, Quezon City, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo stated that security measures will be intensified, including checkpoint operations in strategic locations during this period.
“The candidates are not the only ones being monitored, of course, their relatives and supporters are also being watched. As we know, local elections can be more heated than national elections, so that’s what we’re looking at,” she added.
While the PNP will remain at normal alert status, Fajardo mentioned that police commanders on the ground may decide to raise the alert level in their respective jurisdictions if necessary.
“The Chief PNP (Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil) also wants to closely monitor potential Private Armed Groups (PAGs) that could be used to sow violence. The directive from our Chief PNP is to ensure that these potential PAGs are not utilized, especially in the early stages of candidacy filing,” she further stated.
Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is fully prepared to ensure the filing of COCs in Metro Manila.
In a separate statement, NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. mentioned that 1,389 police officers will be deployed to enhance police visibility at all designated filing locations, including the offices of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and other key areas.
Nartatez instructed district directors to ensure that sufficient personnel are assigned to manage crowd control and traffic flow, and to provide assistance through help desks for candidates and the public.
